Amphilophus c. Grow Out Temperature

[platy21]

Such great information in those linked threads and articles. All those Midas in the threads are impressive, almost hard to believe the potential these fish have when you first get them at such a relatively small size. I am still finishing up the paper by Barlow but a few things stood out to me- the natural food sources of Midas in the lakes, general living conditions in relation to space (really makes even our largest tanks seem small in comparison), and the seemingly higher resistance to bacterial diseases of gold colored morphs versus wild type specimens and thus higher survival rates in the laboratory setting of gold Midas. In regards to nuchal hump development it is interesting to note that wild specimens do not display the enlarged nuchal hump year round but only for courting and breeding. I found it especially interesting how quickly the nuchal hump decreases as they raise fry.

As for my group of seven- I can't believe how quickly they are changing colors. This is my first experience raising any Amphilophus so it's all new to me. I can see noticeable changes overnight in some of them. They quickly got over how shy they initially were and are eating pellets from the top with no issue whatsoever. I upgraded them to the 3mm NLS Large fish pellet. The smaller pellets didn't trigger as much of a feeding response and they seem to be enjoying the larger offering. I still am mixing the 1mm pellets into the rotation for variety- because my Algaemax I only have in 1mm and for variety of sizes and textures. I am contemplating adding some Northfin pellets in for variety as well. Their tank has been sitting quite comfortably at 75 degrees F and no issues so far. They are very active so I will be keeping it set to 75 unless something seems off down the road.

 

[platy21]

Some pictures. They are hard to get pictures of, move so quickly.

 

[dmyersWv]

I vividly recall when I started in the hobby, and the books available back then set the stage for this temperature obsession that still seems to grip much of the hobby today.

"My tank is kept at 78.623F, and I am thinking about lowering that to 78.016F. Will that be too cold? How long should I spread the temperature change over? I'm thinking of spending the upcoming long weekend to monitor and control the temperature drop. I don't want to stress my fish!"

We were also constantly being warned that Ich would take hold in our tanks if the fish experienced any kind of sudden drop in temperature.

Today, I keep a number of stock tanks outside from late spring until mid-autumn. They can hit temps in the high 80F range in mid-summer, sometimes higher if left unshaded. At the beginning and end of my outdoor-fish season, stock tanks can regularly experience 10-15F temperature swings within a 24-hour period with our warm days and cool nights...and this continues daily for weeks. Most fish I put outside...Goodeids, Swordtails, assorted cichids, Hoplo/Bristlenose/Scleromystax cats, Heterandria mosquitofish, Jordanella killifish, Medakas and many others...grow faster and are far more colourful than their indoor counterparts, despite the fact that the indoor fish are well-fed by me, while the outdoor ones get the occasional pinch of food from me but generally are left to their own devices when it comes to nutrition. All the species listed above are regularly exposed to temps below 60F for days or weeks on end.

Fish didn't evolve in controlled laboratory conditions. They are adapted by nature to withstand a range of temperatures and other conditions; I think that allowing them to experience this broader range will result in healthier, more resilient specimens. Not all will do well at 60F, to be sure...but there likely aren't any species of freshwater fish that require the kind of rigid temperature control that most people insist upon.

I have hadgreat results with new and old world cichlids outside in the midwest from late April to early October. Never had an issue with ick.

 

[platy21]

I have hadgreat results with new and old world cichlids outside in the midwest from late April to early October. Never had an issue with ick.

I really hope to try setting up some kind of outdoor project next year. I was initially planning on Goodeids and livebearers but an outdoor cichlid project would be tempting.

 

[dmyersWv]

I was a great experience for me. I couldn't believe the growth and spawning. I put 100 1 to 2 inch green terrors in a 300 gallon Rubbermaid tub in early spring. Sold or gave away at least 80 and brought in 80 at the end of season. Also grew out midas fry and some Peacocks in the same tub at the same time. Some of the Green terrors were 4 to 5 inches when pulled.

 

[RD.]

Great looking group of juvies. Is the darker piebald fish the most dominant by chance? Really like how that fish is coming along. Always interesting to watch juvie cits morph when growing out.

 

[platy21]

I was a great experience for me. I couldn't believe the growth and spawning. I put 100 1 to 2 inch green terrors in a 300 gallon Rubbermaid tub in early spring. Sold or gave away at least 80 and brought in 80 at the end of season. Also grew out midas fry and some Peacocks in the same tub at the same time. Some of the Green terrors were 4 to 5 inches when pulled.

Wow that’s impressive. I’m going to add this to the project list for next spring. Hell with the weather we’re having in Pittsburgh who knows how long I’d be able to keep them outside. It was 74 here yesterday and a low of only 62.

Great looking group of juvies. Is the darker piebald fish the most dominant by chance? Really like how that fish is coming along. Always interesting to watch juvie cits morph when growing out.

It’s going to be hard to pick just one, they all look great. I’m still amazed at how quickly their colors are changing. I think they are still working out the pecking order. The three non-colored are about equal as the least dominant. Although one is peeling quickly and is starting to show more aggression. The solid orange and the orange with black on the tail are tied for most dominant, followed by the darker piebald and the orange and white blotching. So far these my favorite two, but the orange with black on the tail is a close third.

 

[dmyersWv]

Wow that’s impressive. I’m going to add this to the project list for next spring. Hell with the weather we’re having in Pittsburgh who knows how long I’d be able to keep them outside. It was 74 here yesterday and a low of only 62.


It’s going to be hard to pick just one, they all look great. I’m still amazed at how quickly their colors are changing. I think they are still working out the pecking order. The three non-colored are about equal as the least dominant. Although one is peeling quickly and is starting to show more aggression. The solid orange and the orange with black on the tail are tied for most dominant, followed by the darker piebald and the orange and white blotching. So far these my favorite two, but the orange with black on the tail is a close third.

I'm in West Virginia about an hour from Pittsburgh. The weather has been great.

 

[platy21]

I'm in West Virginia about an hour from Pittsburgh. The weather has been great.

Not far at all. Have you ever been to any of the Pittsburgh Aquarium society events? I hear they host some interesting speakers. I’ve never been except for the public auction and swap meet. If you’re interested in any of these Midas down the road let me know, since I can only keep one of the growouts.

 

[platy21]

Grabbed a few more pictures. Colors changing on two of them very fast. My order of Northfin Tropical Sticks came in so going to try them out and see what they think.