Does anyone know the growth rate of Fahakas in comparison to other fishes such as Oscars or Cichla? Given you're starting off with a 3incher in 60g and then a 120g. No power feeding and daily water changes, just a regular feeding and tank maintenance schedule.
Fahaka Growth Rate
- Thread starter KevinO
- Start date
I got mine a year ago at 3'' and its now 7''. And about as big around as a coke can.
Its in a 72g corner tank and it feeds mainly on market shrimp. And once weekly it gets a 3-5'' crayfish. And every few weeks a small convict cichlid.
Once a week 50% water changes.
Its in a 72g corner tank and it feeds mainly on market shrimp. And once weekly it gets a 3-5'' crayfish. And every few weeks a small convict cichlid.
Once a week 50% water changes.
HTHEORY-D, So that's 4 inches per year or about 1/3 of an inch a month. Hmm...Slow growing fish for what some people call the aquatic garbage disposal. However... "Fat as a coke can" is hilarious and must definitely be a sight to see for a 7inch fish. I'm really thinking about getting one and based on your experience, I could actually house it in my 60 for a little over 2 years before having to move it up.
More questions: Honestly, is a 50% weekly water change really necessary? Is the amount of waste this fish creates really that bad? And also, what are the other drawbacks with keeping this fish (besides the whole no tankmates thing). Thanks in advance.
More questions: Honestly, is a 50% weekly water change really necessary? Is the amount of waste this fish creates really that bad? And also, what are the other drawbacks with keeping this fish (besides the whole no tankmates thing). Thanks in advance.
you cant go by someone elses growth rate. if you dont have the room at the time or plan on getting it sooner rather than later, then i wouldnt get it. depending on the diet of the fish, water parameters etc, it could grow quicker or slower. i dont own a fahaka(i have GSP and Figure 8's) but all of the FW fish i have kept have grown anywhere from only an inch to 5 inches in a matter of a few months. wait til you have the tank he will be in permanently, save yourself the hassle and save the fish the stress of moving. find something to occupy the 60 and keep you happy while you wait to get your big tank for the fahaka. just my own opinion, do as you please
I have multible growout tanks. I started one at 1" in a 15g, moved it at 3" to a 40g, at 7" to a 55g & 9" to a 125g. This all occured within 2 years. I have 1/3 sand in there but he never burrows.
I see a lot of people using gravel, however sand seems to be the ideal substrate for recreating their natural environment. With that said, isn't it much more of an effort to maintain these fish since they're messy eaters that require frequent water changes and not to also add the pain of cleaning sand? I guess this question is then: Could you get away with a bare bottom and just driftwood in the tank?
IMO, BB won't supply the large surface area needed to support the biological bacteria for the bioload of this fish.
