How to pick new cichla from a LFS?

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sevank21

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jan 25, 2012
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My LFS is getting a batch of new cichla. How do I pick what I want from the batch besides the obvious such as ones that arnt damaged. should I ask to feed them? Are they're any markings I should look for? Etc etc. It's kelberi btw...

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The markings will change so much it is hard, I usually just go with the bass that stand out for one reason or another. Different base color, strange markings, fatter etc..
 
I think i should ask to feed them and see which ones are first to the table lol.

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Feeding them may be tough, especially after a move. My experience is after the moves the don't seam to eat much. But instinct may kick in and you could get lucky. Fish develop personalities so it's tough to say.

When they come out of their move enclosure don't expect their colors or stripes to be too nice, stressed fish lose these. In fact when I brought my two newest home, one may have mistaken them for minnows, they had nothing. Slowly they came back and now 2 weeks later the fish are really developing nice deep colors and bars.

I'm new to MFK so I apologize if I overlooked your thread, but what's your setup / experience with these guys?
 
I'd ask to feed them... Feed them what you want them to eat. And maybe you'll get lucky. My LFS got some in recently I thru pellets in to see who would even look at them or try them. Now I've got three little guys on pellets and two of them only want pellets. Nothing makes them grow as fast or healthy! Never did feeders. Put a CL that they could easily eat in but all they do is chase it.


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Thanks guys for your help.

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TLucas said:
I'd ask to feed them... Feed them what you want them to eat. And maybe you'll get lucky. My LFS got some in recently I thru pellets in to see who would even look at them or try them. Now I've got three little guys on pellets and two of them only want pellets. Nothing makes them grow as fast or healthy! Never did feeders. Put a CL that they could easily eat in but all they do is chase it.


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Curious as to your certainty on that?ellets being the absolute best way to go? Especially over home grown and treated feeders.
 
I have raised quite a few cichla and would agree that pellets are the best if they will take them. Just ask my farmie he grew to 18" or so real fast

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I would just look for a fatter cichla with NO ich. If they are small just look to see if they are in good condition. Hard to be picky if they are very small. Id just go for the healthiest looking ones
 
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