size of cichlids?

Question

I have about 4 types of cichlids electric yellow - labidochromis, Kennyi - pseudotropheus, Maylandia - Pseudotropheus zebra, and orange chromide - Etroplus maculatus i have one other but not sure what kind it is. i have read web sights about these fish and i know how big they get i just don't know how long it takes them to get to this size. other info they are in a 75 gallon tank

diet is flake food, freez dryed plakton and veggie flake. a mix of all three

Answer 1

Since you have some mbuna, you should refrain from the meaty foods, bloodworms and mysis shrimp (sorry Zoe! But nothing over 45% protein content for mbuna).

Prestine water conditions will aid in rate of growth as well as a high quality diet. It should take about 3 years for your mbuna go grow from a 1cm fry to a 5" solid fish, not sure about the chromide, etroplus, though. Since your fish are probably larger than 1cm fry, the time it will take them to attain 4"-5" is obviously a lot shorter (i.e., 12-18 months from 2.5" to 5").

Answer 2

Actually they will take a bit longer than that. Your fish will grow fairly quick, then slow down for the last 1-1.5". Most Mbuna will be considered full grown out at 3-4years of age. Not too much protien for them (plankton).

Answer 3

Well, in 2-3 years they will reach their adult size; but males will continue to grow (very slowly, mind you) throughout their lives.
There's no doubt that a healthy, diverse diet will help them reach their adult size, so don't be afraid to mix in other frozen meaty foods like bloodworms and mysis shrimp, and fresh vegs.

Answer 4

Congrats its a very good setup, and combination of fishes, they take about 1-1.5 years to reach full size depending on diet.