Geo Altifron growth rate

[turkeyboy85]

I just picked up a few of these and I would like to grow them to about 7" before I put them in with my stingray. What is the best food to give them and what is an estimated growth rate on these guys. They are anywhere from 3.5-5" today.

Currently they are in a 55 gallon long with an FX5 and a sponge filter running. I am feeding them brine shrimp twice daily.

Should I be expecting 1/4" a month, half" .......

Thanks

 

[richkid]

Any pics?


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[turkeyboy85]

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[flyingdog]

I find altifrons varieties are not real fast growers and can take a couple of years to reach the 6/7 inch size. Obviously food and tank size can influence this rate a bit. I would not expect a quarter inch per month and I would use a good pellet rather than brine shrimp.

 

[turkeyboy85]

Is there a reason you suggest pellet over brine shrimp?

 

[wheatgerm]

Is there a reason you suggest pellet over brine shrimp?

If its frozen Brine shrimp is like 80% water and lacking nutrition. Feed a good pellet like 3mm NLS or something keep super clean water and they will grow reasonably quick. I think I had my last group of altifrons to 5" within 6 months of getting them in the 2" range

 

[petspoiler]

IME the 1mm sinking pellets are better for Geos, even 6 & 7 inchers. they like sifting through sand to eat like grazers, not gobblers.
but yeah, brine shrimp are only a treat. it's not nutritionally complete & growth on that will be minimal.

 

[keepinfish]

TB, Whats up man. My Geo's were about 2" in sept 2010. They were fed cichlid gold and worms for most of there life. They are now 11-12".
It took about 2 years to get to 10" range.

 

[flyingdog]

As they said for the brine shrimp. and this guy took approx three years to get to 10 inch

 

[flyingdog]

Abalios at 10 inch and about 5 years old

Argyrostictus took about three years to get to 10 inch and continued to grow after this time