Whats up, first post -

[BigBoyStatus]

I have a couple Chocolate Cichlids in a 75 gallon aquarium. The bigger one is a female and is at about 5.5 to 6 inches long, while the smaller one is a male, and is about 3 inches long. The smaller of the two is not quiet as colored/developed yet (which is expected), but the larger one has great coloration. I do a 20% water change once a week, and i feed them beef hear, blood worms, peas, New Life Spectrum Cichlid Pellets, and the occasional feeder fish (about once a month). How long do you suppose it will be until they reach their full size?

Thanks for the help

 

[mikem691]

I would up your water changes to 50% weekly and stop feeding the beef heart and feeder fish.

 

[jwh0818]

I would up your water changes to 50% weekly and stop feeding the beef heart and feeder fish.

+1 what's your filtration

 

[BigBoyStatus]

+1 what's your filtration

I use a Fluval 305 filter along with an undergravel filter; why not the Beef hear?

 

[mikem691]

I think you are feeding the best pellet there is NLS and the beef heart really isnt as nutritious. Clean water and a good pellet will help them grow. The feeders are just too iffy and could bring parasites with them.

 

[josh7]

Yep no feeder fish or beef heart the diet sounds good besides that you are going to need at least 180 gallons per hour for filtration. I would up your water changes to 50% a week. It will take probably 6-8 months for them to all be full size. I would consider upgrading though chocolates get around 8 inches and can be territorial IMO a 6 foot tank would be much better for 4 8 inch fish.

 

[BigBoyStatus]

Thanks for the input - the tank does actually measure to be 6 feet, but I understand what you mean.

 

[josh7]

The 75 gallon is 72 inches long. I have never seen or heard of that mine is 48 inches x 18 inches by 21 inches. Can I see a pic that's interesting.

 

[jwh0818]

Thanks for the input - the tank does actually measure to be 6 feet, but I understand what you mean.

What's the width and height of the tank?

 

[jwh0818]

Josh clean you pms so I can pm.you

 

[josh7]

It's empty haha

 

[josh7]

Your good JWH here set me straight you are fine then with your 4 chocolate cichlids I wouldn't add anything else but yes you should have some nice looming adult fish soon!

 

[jwh0818]

Your good JWH here set me straight you are fine then with your 4 chocolate cichlids I wouldn't add anything else but yes you should have some nice looming adult fish soon!

Haha scratch what I said about 72g in that last pm josh I missread