Updates on the growouts in the 75: Had a moment of realization this week on one of the Sagittae... sadly it has a major defect in its facial structure. On one side it looks completely normal but on the other side its cheek looks sunk in, gill sticks out funny and mouth has a offset droop to it, (think stroke victim). It was hard to see it when smaller but now with size its very clear. It appears healthy except for its growth rate being very slow with all the other amphilophus seriously out pacing it. Even the other Sagittae seems to be out growing it now. This one is a runt and deformed. Feel like the humane thing is to put it down.
Trimac update: He was spooking pretty easy for a while there so I found a nice big 3 1/2"+ male convict to put in as a dither/target. All was well during the day with the Trimac visibly upset but not hurting or going at the convict at all, just some pacing back and forth and a little gill flare. In fact he didnt even come close to the convict at all. It looked like the idea was working since the Trimac was not even flinching with activity going on outside the tank. Thought I had found the answer... until later, after lights out that the convict got decimated. Completely descales and tail shredded. I realize the Trimac had the home turf advantage but acted as if the small fish was not a threat so I had high hopes. This really makes me reconsider even trying it in the 300 community, even with it being the only cichlid. I think there would be a killing spree with the balas and bichirs!
