Texas Cichlid Growth Rate?

fish_freak

fish_freak

Retired Mod
Feb 15, 2002
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Great Barrington, MA
Anyone know the growth rate of a carpintes? Ive had him a little over 2 years and hes only about 6-7 inches and not all that much girth. He still grows but seems very slow is this normal? Im used to cichlids growing alot faster than this and im not real sure how fast these guys normaly grow. Its starting to make me wonder if I got a runt lol.
 
Form my experience they are slow growers. I had a pair of them years back. I have a female now about a year and a half old and I don't think she is even 6in yet. I also remember reading some where they are slow growers but easy breeders.
If they have the space and they and are comfortable with their suroundings they are supost to breed like convict.
 
I have a texas, and he grows pretty fast, same as JD or GT. I got one a half a year ago under 2'' and he's hitting 6'' already :eek:
 
I guess it's normal for every fish that they grow fast when they're young, and slower and slower as they get old. For example in a few months he can double his size from 3'' to 6'' but from 6'' to 7'' could take much longer :mad:

Also not only the length matters, mine didn't get much longer in the past month or 2, but he got much thicker and taller.

Tank size, tankmates has a big effect on their growth...
 
another question on this. Im wondering if maybe my perception on there full size is off. I think I just asumed they would get as big as an oscar for instance cause there leangth is 8-12" full grown but from the pics Ive seen on the net mine is about the same size as all of them so now Im wondering if he is full grown and my perception on there full grown size was wrong. Any comparisons on size between this fish and another common cichlid?
 
I think I may have figured it out. I found some pics of pairs on the web and the males are a lot bigger then the females and have the big hump in there foreheads so im thinking maybe I have a female as her hump isnt very pronounced and shes smaller. Any input though would be appreciated
 
As fas as I know they will grow up to 12'' fully mature. It could take 4/5/6 years for that. Females are a few inches smaller and the males have a hump on their forehead (I should have a male). The tank size should have a big effect on their size too. I guess they would need 100G+ tanks to feel good and grow nicely...
 
Mine went from 1" to 5" in 6 months, but slowed down after, grew 4 more inches over the next year, and it's stuck at 9 inches in year 3
 
the only thing I can add to this thread is,my female is much smaller then the male.
& my pair breed very frequently,see......
DSC01827.jpg

Sorry for the crappy pic,love the females breeding colors.
Rick
 
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