Mbuna growth rate?

K

KLGFCG

AC Members
Feb 2, 2006
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First off, I just want to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE mbuna. I can't believe I waited so long to get them, and almost got rid of the cobalt blue that came with my Craigslist find so I didn't have to have mbuna. I can barely pry myself away from my two newly stocked mbuna tanks - so cool! Whew, so anyway, on to the question...

I was wondering how fast mbuna reach adult size. My yellow labs and rusties are both pretty small at about 1-2"... roughly how quickly do they grow up?
 
Depends on water quality and feeding if you feed once a day and do not do weekly water changes it will take a while close to a year and a half or longer if you feed twice or three times a day with weekly water changes your fish will grow faster also tank size plays a role, if the fish are in cramped quarters your fish will not grow that fast as well unless you do daily water changes.

If the tank is of adequate size and isn't too over grossly stocked twice a day feedings with weekly water changes at 50% will suffice.. Fish would be close to full grown in around 9 months to a year.. Not sure on the exact size and ratings..
 
I agree with Pitt.
 
Starting from when they're free swiming fry, I think most mbuna's reach "adult size" in about 3 years, give or take. With 1"-2" specimens a good chunk of time is shaved off, so with them adult size is perhaps 12-18 months away (again, give or take).

Keep in mind that "Adult size" isn't the same as "maximum size" because after 3 or 4 years growth rate slows down but continues.

As an example, the oldest of the mbuna's which born in my tank are 4 years old. They're obviously adult size (close to if not 5") but are they're still smaller than their fathers and older relatives who continue to reside in the same tank (which are over 5" and about 6yrs old).
 
Is the same true for Haps and Peacocks?

I've only kept Mbuna long enough to observe juvi to adult growth and would agree that generally speaking, 1 to 2 years sounds about right.
 
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