Speeding up Growth of cichlids???

[red devil 18]

Hey how it goin everyone,

Ive been curious about this for a while. Ive done research on the internet and heard a variety of ideas. Some suggest giving the fish a varied diet(which i do). and frequent water changes. I was just curious if you guys have any expience or knowledge about this topic. Is it possible? Healthy for the fish in th elong run? Ive even heard ideas like changing the temp and lighting to mimic seasonal changes?!?!? is this possibe?

[mostlycichlids]

The best way to grow good healthy fish is a good diet and water changes.
:)

[Mgamer20o0]

clean water is a big thing. i been trying out this new food called new life spectrum grow. had a few people said it really helped in the young fish growth.

[elks]

Varied food diet including live, pristine water conditions and large tanks with small populations

Jmo with success

[Rbishop]

Large tank, water changes, varied diet appropriate for the fish, with minimal stress from inapproprite tank mates.

[Aislinn]

I agree with what everyone said about water quality. The best thing you can do for ANY fish is have the cleanest water possible, and change it very regularly. Second to that, I agree with Mgamer and I really like New Life Spectrum. I haven't tried the grow formula, but I am a big fan of their regular food. Promotes colour and growth without encouraging obesity. I used to have a Red Devil and I never used live feed. I fed him Spectrum pellets and frozen or dried shrimp.

[red devil 18]

Has anyone ever used that Hikari Bio-Gold... They claim that their formula speeds up grwoth, and greatly improves color. I just bought some, and for the price, i hope it does half of what it says it does. I usually just buy the Hikari Staple, but i couldnt resist. anyone else ever use this product

[musho3210]

i wouldnt trust those speed growing things, first since most of them lie and second they may contain an excess of hormones. But hikari seems like a good brand?

[khuongtran69]

I use Hikari Bio-Gold. I reckon its a good product. It has all the nutirional requirements for cichlids. What type of cichlids do you have? With the lighting, some cichlids don't like too much lighting as it stresses them out, especially cichlids like Frontosa's from Lake Tanganiyka
With feeding, you should feed them small amounts 2-3 times a day rather than one big feeding. The Hikari brand is meant to be really good with their frozen foods too coz they add vitamins in it.
I feed alot of live foods to my cichlids to help them grow quick. I reckon live food is the best as long as they are clean. Try breeding earthworms at home. My fish love them. And they are really good for them

[red devil 18]

i have a 3inch red devil and a 4 inch Jaguar

[khuongtran69]

Yeah, you can feed your fish meaty food to help them grow because they are carnivores. Give them the Hikari Bloodworms. Your fish will love them. The Hikari Bio-Gold is good for them but don't expect miracle growth with them. But its good for them because it has all the essential vitamins and minerals for their growth.

[Psuedofire]

My cichlids grew the fastest when I had them on trout growth pellets. I also varied their diet and did frequent water changes. They also grew faster for me with a warm tempature.

[Star_Rider]

I agree
multiple feedings and frequent water changes are the best tool here.

[vidiots]

Hey how it goin everyone,

Ive been curious about this for a while. Ive done research on the internet and heard a variety of ideas. Some suggest giving the fish a varied diet(which i do). and frequent water changes. I was just curious if you guys have any expience or knowledge about this topic. Is it possible? Healthy for the fish in th elong run? Ive even heard ideas like changing the temp and lighting to mimic seasonal changes?!?!? is this possibe?

I think keeping the temp up to the mid to upper part of their comfort zone would also speed up their metobolism, although it could shorten their life span.

[Mr.Firemouth]

I am working with a hatchery that gets me bulk orders of pellets designed for rapid growth in hatchery fish. I mix these with spirulina pellets.

Water changes enhance the growth rates because it is the only thing that will remove GIP(Growth inhibiting pheromones). All cichlids release this into the water and it has a definite effect on growth rates. For example one large fish and six small fish of the same species. Do the largest water changes possible weekly. I do 95% water changes weekly. I draw the water all the way down and then refill. If you use carbon make sure you change it every 30 days.

Water temp is not as crucial as the diet and the water changes. The reduction of GIP is the biggest factor.

[rahimsach]

I am working with a hatchery that gets me bulk orders of pellets designed for rapid growth in hatchery fish. I mix these with spirulina pellets.

Water changes enhance the growth rates because it is the only thing that will remove GIP(Growth inhibiting pheromones). All cichlids release this into the water and it has a definite effect on growth rates. For example one large fish and six small fish of the same species. Do the largest water changes possible weekly. I do 95% water changes weekly. I draw the water all the way down and then refill. If you use carbon make sure you change it every 30 days.

Water temp is not as crucial as the diet and the water changes. The reduction of GIP is the biggest factor.



Is it safe to do a 95% water change weekly? Isn't it recommended to do 50%? I am just curiuos as that's what I usually do and read on the forums. I have juvenile Cichlids and would love to accelerate their growth rate in a natural way.

[Mr.Firemouth]

David Borkowitz(sp.?) Chief Editor of Tropical Fish Magazine gave a talk at the Greater Chicago Cichlid Assoc. Annual 2 years back on large 100% water changes. The trick is having the proper source water. My water is low in any form of chlorine. I basically match temp and refill. I have not used a dechlorinator in 9 years.

With that said your water may be drastically different. If you are able to match temp and pH from the tap and are also low in chlorine products, then you would be able to do large water changes with no ill effects. I would recommend a dechlorinator for you though. I have been doing this 25 years and am kind of a pro at fishkeeping. I have a fish room and maintain over 1,000 gallons of fish.