Chocolate cichlids

[Chenay83]

Does anyone know how big a chocolate will get before it gets its colors?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Is this the cichlid your talking about? The info is also given on the page if so

http://www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/south-american-cichlid/chocolate-cichlid/100154.asp

 

[Chenay83]

That is the fish I am talking about, but the page did't mention when they would start showing their colors.

 

[HUKIT]

Normally they will start to color up around 5-6".

 

[5x5]

Does anyone know how big a chocolate will get before it gets its colors?

My experience is that they are lemon/all brown colored until about 3 inches. They start coloring up nice around 4 - 6 inches. Mine just hit 6 inches and is looking very impressive

They are extremely fast growing, so it won't be long.

 

[Chenay83]

Ok great. My local pet store always have a tank full of them. People just seem to overlook them because of their boring colors. The guy looked surprised when I asked for four of them.

 

[HUKIT]

The guy looked surprised when I asked for four of them.

I would look surprised as well considering how large and fast they grow.

 

[Chenay83]

He said they looked really plain.

 

[5x5]

He said they looked really plain.

It's kind of foolish to base a purchase on their appearance when they are in the 1 - 2 range. I can't think of any fish that look the same when they grow.

However, buying 4 at once would raise some eyebrows due to their adult size. Other than breeding, that would be crazy.

 

[Chenay83]

Well I got 4 hoping for a pair. A friend is going to take the other two. If a pair doesn't form we are still going to spilt them.

 

[5x5]

Well I got 4 hoping for a pair. A friend is going to take the other two. If a pair doesn't form we are still going to spilt them.

Any idea what you'll do if you get fry? Chocolates are great fish, but very common and I imagine they'll be difficult to sell or even unload for free.

 

[Chenay83]

He has a 180gal but he has a full grown oscar in it, so he can't put them in until they get older.

 

[5x5]

He has a 180gal but he has a full grown oscar in it, so he can't put them in until they get older.

I'm not sure I understand this plan. So you'll grow them out and then store them (possibly hundreds of chocolates) in a 180gal with an Oscar? This sounds a little problematic to me. What size tank are you going to keep them in while they grow to 3" - 4", when they would be large enough to house with the Oscar?

 

[Chenay83]

I not really sure of his plan or when he thinks they are going to be big enough. As for me I am growing them out in a 55gal. The they are moving to the 200gal. From what he has told me and what I have read, they tend to be poor parents so I'll be lucky if I can save some.