Texas cichlid size Q

[tHeX]

I have a pair of Texas cichlids, the female is 7", and the male 4.5", and they are now caring for their second batch of babies.
I got the male last fall as a much smaller fish, but he has seem to stop growing. He eats well (varied diet), and has room. I saw a nice 10" male today and hope mine grows up to be that.
I'm wondering if him breeding at such a young age has anything to do with it, or i was thinking maybe Texas cichlids grow much slower from this point on. Any opinons?
And the story of them. The female (a carpinte) was around 5" and in a community tank with dempseys, a red devil and a few catfish (all fish at or under 5"). I then added the little Texas (a cyno) and he and the carpinte female bonded quick, and since got rid of the rest of the fish exept for a pleco and a psycho giant danio.
Also, is a 7" pleco and a 4" giant danio a threat to the fry i have now? The just started swimming a little today. And dad seems to be doing all the work.
Would likes some opinions and suggestions about keeping and breeding Texas cichlids.
Thanks.

 

[H8Parrotfish 13]

Do you feed them leafy greens?


(This might not be the solution but...)
I fed my old Texas Spinach and Watercrest and others he did a growth spurt from 4 in and half to 9 inches. Which was about a year.

I also would feed him some diced up earthworms and oysters as well.

 

[tHeX]

I do feed plenty of earth worms, a few times a week. He usually sucks them down 2 at a time. I have not tryed oysters. Don't know much about their values.
I have given them fresh greens in the past, but not that often. The didn't seem to care for it anyway, but will try again.They do get some form of spirolina daily.