Parachromis dovii poor growth

[Nataliia]

Hello everybody,

I am new to this forum and would greatly appreciate professional advice because I think this is the best forum for doviis, help please.

I bought two parachromis dovii in September in a local fish shop. I was told they were about year old(?).
They are now around 15-16cm (6inch). It seems that they have barely at all grown in last three months.
They eat little, one a bit more and other less. Example Hikari cichlid gold (large pellet) one eats 5-6 pellets a day and other eats just 1 pellet and one small shrimp a day. If I give them more then they just chew and spit out. I tryed giving them dry insects, they were eager to catch them but right after spit it all out. Same issue with frozen salmon that I give them sometimes. For example one might eat 3 pieces of salmon and other fish eats just one piece (piece=like end of finger size). Same thing with shrimps.
I don't know what else to give them.

Their waste looks normal, red, no thin white lines or other symptoms other illness.

Aquarium size 250x60x60cm, it's over 900 litres (around 240 US gallons). Filters outside Fluval FX6 and one internal Eheim. Temperature 25C (77 Fahrenheit). Every week I make water changes 30-35%.
PH 7,5-8
GH 8
KH 5
Fe - none
No2 and No3 - all okay

Is their size normal for their age?
It seems to be two males that have some aggression but nothing serious.
They seem healthy just eat a bit poorly.
I have read they should grow every month and basically eat more then they do now.
What should I do? I want to get big beautiful doviis.

 

[FINWIN]

They look a bit pale.
Try putting in some driftwood. I'd also put some kind of background up, that pattern might be an issue on the wall. You could try fabric with velcro strips, or tape some foil (dull side) on the back and crimple it to look like rock.

 

[duanes]

I have always found water changes are one of the important components of good growth, and believe 30-35% per week sounds a bit wimpy,
I usually do 30-40% every other day.

 

[Zanzag]

If both are males could stress also be playing a role in slow growth.

 

[Kvandy]

Stress can be defined as the physiological response to a stressor and it also performs a key role in the ability of fishes to perform life functions such as growth by bringing about disturbances in homeostasis (Van Weerd and Komen, 1998).

When a fish senses a stressor, there is an accompanying ‘stress response’, which is essentially a series of physiological events which have evolved to help the individual overcome the stress caused by the stressor.
This is communicated to the body by the central nervous system via both neuronal and hormonal pathways, and comprises two stages.
The primary stress response is mostly endocrine in nature with the purpose of gathering the energy required to overcome the stressor, while the secondary response controls adaptation of the metabolic system and reestablishment of homeostatis.
Under natural conditions fishes will of course be exposed to brief periods of stress, bringing about a temporary disturbance in homeostasis as levels of cortisol and other chemical substances temporarily rise or otherwise fluctuate.
In the aquarium, however, exposure to stressors is often of a continuous or prolonged nature, and the accompanying chronic stress thus leads to an extended imbalance in homeostasis to which adaptation is impossible or only after a significant period of time.
The stress response thus becomes a maladaptive, rather than adaptive, process and can lead to a number of detrimental consequences including decreased resistance to disease, impaired reproduction, and reduced growth. This is known as the tertiary stress response.

Stunted growth means stunted lives — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[Nataliia]

Thank you everybody for answers and h elp. What if I would add more same species fish in tank? Do you think that in this size aquarium it is possible for fish to grow up to 50cm (20 inch)?

I am planning now to add some decoration, tubes for fishes to hide. It´s a bit hard find good large size aquarium decorations in Europe. Maybe someone could hint a good internet shop that you use?

 

[Rocksor]

Thank you everybody for answers and h elp. What if I would add more same species fish in tank? Do you think that in this size aquarium it is possible for fish to grow up to 50cm (20 inch)?

I am planning now to add some decoration, tubes for fishes to hide. It´s a bit hard find good large size aquarium decorations in Europe. Maybe someone could hint a good internet shop that you use?

You won't be able to keep 2 x 20" male dovii in a 240g. A 240g footprint is not even enough for a 20" dovii

The best option is to remove one of the males to their own tank if you want the best and fastest growth (combined with enough water changes). You can add as much decoration as you want, there will still be a lot of stress even when hiding and you still won't get optimal growth.

 

[Rid_Ether]

It seems like you found your answer. When it comes to Dovii'z 2's a crowd. Maybe try a divider until you get situated to be able to sell.