Looking for a Pike Cichlid for my 75G

[averagehobbyist]

Smart on waiting for the pike, it would be do-able in a 125 for sure, I would wait for then.

JD females will become sexually mature and able to breed quite small, 3" or so. However the male may be abusive to such a smaller fish, hard to say depends on your male JD.

The love hate relationship with cichlids, the personality can be their best and worst trait. I will call around to some fish stores in my area to see if I could order in possibly 4" female JD's, being in New Hampshire, the quality of LFS is pretty slim in my area.

I have never used a divider before but would this be a good idea to section off the tank with the females on one side? Have you or anyone else tried a divider that the smaller female can get through but the males cannot?

 

[Deadliestviper7]

I wouldn't attempt to breed a female jd, until you've had her 19 months or so

 

[Deadliestviper7]

I wouldn't attempt to breed a female jd, until you've had her 19 months or so

 

[averagehobbyist]

I wouldn't attempt to breed a female jd, until you've had her 19 months or so

Breeding females too young will stunt their growth, correct?

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Breeding females too young will stunt their growth, correct?

Yes, and when their to young you get both less eggs and a higher chance of deformities

 

[averagehobbyist]

Yes, and when their to young you get both less eggs and a higher chance of deformities

So I am now considering growing out some females, but other than dividing the tank for an extended period of time I have a spare 20G long empty and laying around, but I do think this would be remotely suitable for a grow out for JD females. would a 30G or a 29G work for that? petco has the $1 gallon sale all the time and I could grab one then. what are your thoughts?

 

[averagehobbyist]

that was supposed to be "don't think it would be remotely suitable"

 

[Deadliestviper7]

A 29 to 30 gal could work for a few months or so of growing out (assuming small fry) for probably 1 or 2 jd ladies

 

[averagehobbyist]

A 29 to 30 gal could work for a few months or so of growing out (assuming small fry) for probably 1 or 2 jd ladies

Do you think it would be suitable to push it until they are around 4" or so? choose my favorite out of the group and then let her go until 5-6" before introducing her into the tank with the male?

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Do you think it would be suitable to push it until they are around 4" or so? choose my favorite out of the group and then let her go until 5-6" before introducing her into the tank with the male?

I think you could get away with it until perhaps 3 and a half, if you want a cheap growout look into a 5 dollar kiddy pool, which will make things easier, to help with water changes prop it up on cinder blocks or other place to allow ease of water changes