Lake Malawi Species • Size of fish

[plug]

I always wondered why some fish grow to a huge size while others of the exact same type never reach that huge size when they are an adult
wonder why?

[sir_keith]

Can you give us some examples? The fact that the fishes in question grow to very different sizes suggests that they are not 'of the exact same type.' I have a suspicion about what's going o here, but I'll wait for more details.

[plug]

sorry for the late reply

some examples Venustus, Cherry Fin Borleyi, Rostratus (sand diver)
I have seen some behemoths in pet shops, and mine I have had for years are nowhere near as large

[fish1234]

It will depend on size of the tank, tankmates (stress levels) and water quality/nutrition. My current venestus and rostratus' I have had for about 2.5 year that I got when they were 1.2-2in. The venestus is probably done growing at 8.5-9in. The rostratus females are 8.5 and 7.5in while the males are 11 and 10 in still growing.

How big are yours and how big is the tank? Are they significantly smaller or just slightly?

[jcover]

Most haps grow most of their size in the first year. They seem to drastically slow down after that point. I've found most of the large haps grow to the 8-9" range within 12 months.

[plug]

I have them in a 6 foot 125 gallon tank
my female Rostratus that gave me a couple of broods was only about 5.5 to 6 inches max but it was more the height. I saw some females at a pet shop that were much longer but what caught my eye was how round and high they were almost like a small plate. The male was about 7.5 to 8 inches max
my male venustus maxed at about 7 inches, but now I have a baby that I have grown out and he is probably close to 7.5 inches and seems to be still growing
some venustus I have seen in a pet shop for sale are massive!

those are just some examples

[noki]

Older Malawi cichlids do literally get "fat" from fish food. Maybe that is what you see. Malawi cichlds can grow more massive in captivity.

User avatar plug... your fish may be healthy and well cared for, so you don't end up with those fat cichlids.

[plug]

Noki - I see what you are saying but its really interesting how some of these gigantic fish look like a round plate - its more the size from bottom to top that makes them so large