Trimacs?

[fisher12889]

I've been looking for something new to do with my 125g, and I had a two questions about trimacs...

What is their average max size? Ive read anywhere from 12"-16"

And more importantly, what are your experiences with this species? (aggression, personality, breeding, etc)

Also, if you have any pictures of trimacs you would like to share, please feel free to! I would especially like to see a few pictures of them in breeding dress!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Aquanero]

I would recomend Trimacs for a number of reasons. Trimacs have great colors, size, power and personality. They are very hardy fish adoptable to a wide range of water conditions as long as it's consistant. I got my male at 2" it was 10" in 9 months and is now just under 12", it grew rapidly like all Amphilophus one it hit it's growth spurt but it's growth as now slowed considerably. The 12 to 16" range is accurate but from 12 to 16" will take years. I think 16" is the upper range and 14" is probebly more of a realistic max average for a male in an aquarium. Females 8 to 10" should be expected as and average size non breeding females will tend to reach a larger size than breeding females in my experance.
I feed and assortment of foods, Bio-gold+, Massavouir, Krill, earthworms and Mega meal worms feed on Omega one color flakes. I do 50%+ water changes weekly and recommend PFS as a substrate, they love to dig and "blow" the sand into a pile.
The pair I have are 1st time parents and are great with the fry, very protective and the male is very gentile and attentive.
As far as aggresion goes, The male can be extreamly aggressive at times and the female can also show a high level of agression but never towards each other. I had a convect in the tank with the pair to help them bond, the female fought with it constantly and the male paid very little attention to it. Once the fry became free swimming he hunted it downd and killed it along with a yoyo loch that was in the tank.

here's some pics.
Male breeding colors top w/fry & non-breeding no female in tank below

 

[Anubisscott]

Couldn't have put it better myself. I would also say of all the Amphilophus I have kept they are one of the more aggressive. Their coloration on their fins and spots are spectacular, not to mention when during breeding.

If you descide to breed amphilophus I always suggest you keep a few decca pots in the tank. get some medium ones and hollow them out just enough that your female is the only one that can fit. Then have one large one hollowed so both may fit. Males seem to stay more relaxed towards a female if they know she can just scoot into a pot to escape. Also looks more natural and less tacky then a divider. After 10yrs and no deaths I would have to say it most definently is my prefered method.

 

[cavamart]

Great Pictures.

 

[Gruff Master]

I want a Trimac even more now after reading this thread. It's time to start another tank! I don't think it would be wise to add one to my Festae tank. Good luck, Fisher. I hope you find some outstanding Trimacs.

 

[fisher12889]

I would recomend Trimacs for a number of reasons. Trimacs have great colors, size, power and personality. They are very hardy fish adoptable to a wide range of water conditions as long as it's consistant. I got my male at 2" it was 10" in 9 months and is now just under 12", it grew rapidly like all Amphilophus one it hit it's growth spurt but it's growth as now slowed considerably. The 12 to 16" range is accurate but from 12 to 16" will take years. I think 16" is the upper range and 14" is probebly more of a realistic max average for a male in an aquarium. Females 8 to 10" should be expected as and average size non breeding females will tend to reach a larger size than breeding females in my experance.
I feed and assortment of foods, Bio-gold+, Massavouir, Krill, earthworms and Mega meal worms feed on Omega one color flakes. I do 50%+ water changes weekly and recommend PFS as a substrate, they love to dig and "blow" the sand into a pile.
The pair I have are 1st time parents and are great with the fry, very protective and the male is very gentile and attentive.
As far as aggresion goes, The male can be extreamly aggressive at times and the female can also show a high level of agression but never towards each other. I had a convect in the tank with the pair to help them bond, the female fought with it constantly and the male paid very little attention to it. Once the fry became free swimming he hunted it downd and killed it along with a yoyo loch that was in the tank.

here's some pics.
Male breeding colors top w/fry & non-breeding no female in tank below

Awesome, thanks for your time! The pictures are great, and so was your input!

Anubisscott, I have bred Amphilophus in the past (I currently have a pair of midas) and I've noticed my male can be very aggressive towards the female when she strays too far from their pot. He will chase her all over the tank, nipping and biting, until she makes it back in the pot. Then they act like nothing happened lol.

 

[flipstylex]

trimacs are awesome and agressive

 

[Anubisscott]

Anubisscott, I have bred Amphilophus in the past (I currently have a pair of midas) and I've noticed my male can be very aggressive towards the female when she strays too far from their pot. He will chase her all over the tank, nipping and biting, until she makes it back in the pot. Then they act like nothing happened lol.

Yeah I noticed you have a female up for grabs that sounds to be the right size for my male. Too bad I am not in C-Springs anymore. I have seen both get ansey with each other when they stray to far, but never ruff. Ussualy the female just goes in and out of one of the 3 pots I have for her if he gets alittle to frisky.

 

[Aquanero]

You are welcome, if you were closer I'd give you all the Trimacs you want.

 

[fisher12889]

Yeah I noticed you have a female up for grabs that sounds to be the right size for my male. Too bad I am not in C-Springs anymore. I have seen both get ansey with each other when they stray to far, but never ruff. Ussualy the female just goes in and out of one of the 3 pots I have for her if he gets alittle to frisky.

I've never shipped a fish before, or I would have no problem doing it (not really worth it for a regular midas anyway lol.) It doesn't happen often, but my male gets pretty pissed at the female sometimes lol. She's always safe in the pot though.

You are welcome, if you were closer I'd give you all the Trimacs you want.

Thank you for the offer! Luckily, I can get don conkels trimacs locally