Moba grow out thread

[ken31cay]

I hope the Moba don't see the Mdoka as food. I had hoped to grow out some tinfoil barbs with my Moba as they were too big to fit in Moba's mouths. But at night times they were biting off the rear 1/3 of the tinfoil barbs bodies with the tails. I decided to leave the rest of the tinfoil barbs in the tank and they were all partially eaten within a few days. My Moba are wild caught though which I know makes a big difference in how they see smaller fish as prey.

 

[danotaylor]

I hear you Ken. I am aware of the nocturnal hunting strategy of gibbs. In fact when I went down to check the tank this morning I was expecting some of the smaller ones to be missing, but thankfully all were present, and so far the moba have paid them zero attention. I agree with you regarding wild fish, and am hopeful that being rank raised and always fed flakes & pellets, the Mdoka will be ok. The bigger ones are definitely gonna be ok, but there is about 8 closer to 2.25”, prob females, that are at risk

 

[danotaylor]

The reasons I moved the Mdoka in now is because I really wanted the big rambunctious fryeri, and the borleyi male out of the moba tank. To do that I had to use the Mdoka grow out tank to house them until I sell them

 

[ken31cay]

The reasons I moved the Mdoka in now is because I really wanted the big rambunctious fryeri, and the borleyi male out of the moba tank. To do that I had to use the Mdoka grow out tank to house them until I sell them

I'd say that was a good move.

 

[danotaylor]

Morning 3 after the Mdoka introduction…head count 19…tail count 19 also

 

[ken31cay]

Morning 3 after the Mdoka introduction…head count 19…tail count 19 also

Good going. IMO when they're all grown out you may or may not look to decreae the ratio of Mdoka to Moba. The three times I combined phenochilus with Moba, the mix worked really well except that the phenos can be more active/lively at feeding times and tend to grab more than their fair share of food.

 

[ken31cay]

to give a little more detail, the male Frontosa can be just as active/even more active at feeding times, but there were always some females that were affected at times due to the decreased enthusiasm at feeding.

 

[danotaylor]

Thx Ken. My ultimate goal is actually to dedicate the big tank to the moba once they’re approaching breeding size. They can be fickle to get breeding and I don’t want the more rambunctious Mdoka disrupting that.
Having said that, that’s a solid 2+ years out at this point. So the 10 footer is a grow out/ display in the interim. Protecting the mobas trailer pelvic fins is a top priority as well, and evidence of the mdokas hopping trailers will result in immediate expulsion. IMO fronts loose over 50% of their appeal trailerless.
Historically I have no trouble selling large mdoka. I sold my breeder group easily cause they’re a desirable fish to breed & sell. The 7 x 6-9” males sold really easily as well.
If the Mdoka don’t appear to be disruptive to the MOBAs more chillaxed demeanor, and don’t disrupt potential breeding mojo I may keep a small group, perhaps 2M3F. Time will show me how to proceed!

 

[ken31cay]

Thx Ken. My ultimate goal is actually to dedicate the big tank to the moba once they’re approaching breeding size. They can be fickle to get breeding and I don’t want the more rambunctious Mdoka disrupting that.
Having said that, that’s a solid 2+ years out at this point. So the 10 footer is a grow out/ display in the interim. Protecting the mobas trailer pelvic fins is a top priority as well, and evidence of the mdokas hopping trailers will result in immediate expulsion. IMO fronts loose over 50% of their appeal trailerless.
Historically I have no trouble selling large mdoka. I sold my breeder group easily cause they’re a desirable fish to breed & sell. The 7 x 6-9” males sold really easily as well.
If the Mdoka don’t appear to be disruptive to the MOBAs more chillaxed demeanor, and don’t disrupt potential breeding mojo I may keep a small group, perhaps 2M3F. Time will show me how to proceed!

Sounds like you're on the right track. I know you have tons of experience.

 

[danotaylor]

Sounds like you're on the right track. I know you have tons of experience.

Thank you Ken. I do appreciate & value your input though as you are working w a similar species mix as me.
I’ve kept fish for 44yrs, and whilst I have learned a lot, some from my own foolish mistakes, keep an open mind to what others know & have experienced. In my vintage I’d rather learn from someone else’s mistakes than make more of my own