Not Growing to Potential

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A

abiddle

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 17, 2008
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I have a 180 community tank and a couple of my cichlids (Pifasciatus, Lyonsi) do not seem to be growing to thier potential. Rapps fish, great filtration, weekly water changes, water parms are perfect and I feed a variety of the best food. I have heard the old tale about fish giving off a harmone or something as they grow that will stunt the growth of other fish. So I was wondering if I need to get rid of some fish so the others will grow.

Keep
1 Vieja Ufarmani Female Full Grown
1 Vieja Pifasciatus Male (juvenile)
1 Amphiliphous Lyonsi Male (juvenile)
1 Rafael Cat Full Grown

Consider Moving
2 Tin Foil Barbs (Juvenile but growing like crazy)
4 Full Grown Large Silver Dollars (not a problem in the past)
1 Green Terror Male (1 1/2 yrs old healthy, little and will not grow)
1 Convict Male (no problem)

Would you recommend getting rid of any in the consider moving category?

Thanks!
 
Personally, I'd lose the tinfoil barbs and GT in that setup. Keep the SD's and convict and do lots and lots of water changes to get the best growth. I change about 75% of my water weekly and have pretty good growth rates. On a side note, how big is your raphael? Curious how big full grown is, I have one that's about 8-9".
 
I'd definately lose the tinfoils and silver dollars, just a waste of bioload in my opinion.

A GT male that doesn´t grow? I only had those problems with females, maybe he is under stress?
Still I would keep the GT and the convict.

Yes I heard the same thing about that hormone, don´t know if it´s true. But if it is you can remove it by doing large water changes.
 
That is exactly what I thought. Not sure of the Silver dollars. I have had them for years, but the tinfoil barbs and the GT are gone. The GT is healty, no stringy poop and he eats well, he as just been about 5 or 6 inches for a year and a half.

My Stripped Rafael is about 8 inches. He stays in his pvc pipe until dark. I only see him when I first turn on the lights, He makes a couple of rounds around the tank then back in his pipe. I consider him the night cleaning crew.
 
You say your water parameters are perfect... what's your Ph and temp? Ive been told I have viagra in my water LOL meaning my fish grow extremely fast. My Ph is 7 and I keep my temps around 82. I don't have to condition or treat my water but the higher temps boost metabolism increasing growth. But You may need to up oxygen level if you raise your temp.also I feed twice a day and do water changes 2-3 .times a week, usually 40% each time. For example I grew out festae from 1.5-8" in less than 7 months. Also haitiensis from 3-6" in three months. Maybe I'm lucky I dunno. I just know whatever I'm doing is working really well.

Keep your sd's and tin foils a community setting works great to boost growths and personality as well:) good luck with yours.
 
I am in a similar situation with my fish.

I have had my Midas for about a year now in a 120g (60"x18" footprint) tank with 5 red hook silver dollars and a smaller type sailfin pleco. I do 3 water changes a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) of about 40-50g each time. I feed high quality foods (NLS, Omega One pellets) along with earthworms. I keep all water parameters in check and temp of 80.4

In the one year of time my Midas has went from 1 1/2" to 8", with the most growth during the first 6 months. I was expecting him to be at least 10" by now. So what gives?

I defiantly know he is a male (venting). He is not overly aggressive for the most part. Eats like a pig. He just is not growing as fast as expected. So I feel the same, I have a fish not growing to its potential.
 
Some fish just don't get as big as they're supposed to, it's not only about water conditions, it's also about the fish's genetics
 
Tom LoFaro;4567927; said:
Some fish just don't get as big as they're supposed to, it's not only about water conditions, it's also about the fish's genetics
Click to expand...

That is true about the genetics. You see some Midas with huge hump heads and others with little ones. I had not thought about that in regard his size. Its not like he's a runt, just seems to be a slow grower. Just does not seem like he will be one of the real big boys or a bruiser.
 
PH 7, Water Temp 82, 50% water change once a week.
2 Rena XP3, 1 AC 500, 1 Ehiem Classic, 1 Magnum (for circulation and polish).
3 heaters so no temp fluctuations during water changes.

I'm taking the tinfoil barbs and the green terror to the LFS this weekend and se what that does. I think I need the SD 's to break up the tension. The Vieja Ufermani has been the boss, but he Lyonsi is starting to challenge her. The Pifasciatus is a big wus and runs from everybody he is very pretty though.

I don't have time for more water changes. So if this doesn't help I'll just stay with what I have.
 
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