Why Arent My Orange Head Geos Growing?

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Pazzoman

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2009
3,005
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81
New York
Hey Everyone, I'm very confused.

I have 10 geos at 1.5 inches the only problem is thier 4 months old! They should be double this size as my aunts geos who we purchased from the same person (Peat is very awesome and helped me a lot, just want to get ther opinions as well). I dont get it thier in a 72 gallon bowfront tank with ample space....with 5 silver dollars (about the same size)....2 yellow severums (2 inches)....and some dithers who are smaller.

My water is:

Temp 79.8-80.00
PH 7
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 10-20

Water Changes:

I do Bi-weekly 50% water change of display tank

Feeding:

Primarily .5mm NLS Grow Pellets they seem to be unable to eat bloodworms and also wont eat the 1mm size nls pellets i have. I usually feed twice a day.

Any Ideas? Hope thier not stunted....hope they still have a chance to grow.
 
Well, as you know they are really slow growers. I have only had two batches and this second time around they are growing at a much slower rate and like you I'm not sure why. Both batches came from very reliable/quality sources just they don't seem to gain any size to them.

I know it's not really an answer but just tossing my experience with them in here.
 
I bought a trio of 2"ers for my dad 4 years ago for Christmas and they are not nearly as big as some I have seen. The largest is 5". They have been in a 150G since I gave them to him.

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They are notoriously slow growers. I have 7 that have only grown 1 - 1.5 inches since last August. They are coloring up very nicely though at 3.5''..
 
best thing mine responded to was a lot more water changing than necessary.
growing out in 75G, I had 8 less of the primary stock than you, and no dithers.
sometimes I did water changes every other day, & generously fed nls growth. they absolutely love fresh water.
a first spawn 3 months after arrival & then like clockwork. but size & appearance continued improving in the best ones.
 
Ok thanks everyone i see that they are slow growers. However i will try to do daily water changes and vary thier diet with other foods as well. Thanks will update in when growth is noticed


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More WC's would help, nitrates are a touch high for geo's ... remember they are more nitrate sensitive than most other new world cichlids. Also keep in mind they prefer smaller foods, a lot of people still feed 6" adults the .5 or 1mm pellets, or they use a mortar and pestel to grind up larger pellets. Lots of small feeds through the day is more their style. Geo's are one of the only types of cichlids that I've seen stop eating when full, and since they graze through the sand all day, it seems like it doesn't take a large amount to make them full. I'd also bump the temp up a couple of degrees if it were me.
 
I agree you should bump up the Wc's and increase the temp to about 82. I grew mine out using the .5mm NLS. They are slow growers but water changes and warm water get them growing a little faster.
 
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