I am not noticing any growth with my mbunas. I am feeding 2 times a day 30 secs each NLS. I do 30% water changes and nitrates are under 30 most of the time. I have been doing this for 3 months and no growth at all. I have Cynotilapia blue reef, labidochromis hongi, and pseudotropheus msobo. Could they have been stunted? They are 1.5- 2 inches long when I bought them and still the same.
How fast do mbuna grow
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
Joined
·
7,198 Posts
In 3 months time, you should see some growth.
What size tank is this?
How many of each species do you have?
You say you're doing 30% water changes, but you don't say how often.
I would prefer keeping those nitrates a bit lower, around 20.
Kim
What size tank is this?
How many of each species do you have?
You say you're doing 30% water changes, but you don't say how often.
I would prefer keeping those nitrates a bit lower, around 20.
Kim
This is an 85 gallon. I have 6 cynotilapia blue reef, and 2 ps. msobo, 2 labidochromis hongi, 6 metriaclima zebra maison reef. I have always done regular water changes and gravel vacuum. 30% every week. Should I try upping the water changes? I have done everything from switching from dainichi to nls and I added a diy jet system to increase water movement.
Joined
·
489 Posts
Two thoughts from an amateur :thumb:
Go to the LFS and see how the fish in the tanks look. Sometimes I wonder if my fish are growing much, then I go compare them to the fish at the LFS. When you look at fish multiple times every day, it's hard to notice change over time, since it's really gradual.
A nitrate level of 30 seems a bit high to me, especially given the number of of fish in your tank. Maybe try increasing the frequency of WC to see if you can bring the nitrates down a little. Try changing the water twice weekly for a month and see if that brings nitrates down.
Go to the LFS and see how the fish in the tanks look. Sometimes I wonder if my fish are growing much, then I go compare them to the fish at the LFS. When you look at fish multiple times every day, it's hard to notice change over time, since it's really gradual.
A nitrate level of 30 seems a bit high to me, especially given the number of of fish in your tank. Maybe try increasing the frequency of WC to see if you can bring the nitrates down a little. Try changing the water twice weekly for a month and see if that brings nitrates down.
Joined
·
41,183 Posts
Also they grow fast until they reach 2" but then growth slows. Plus if you've changed all that in 3 months, they have not really had much time to relax, eat and grow!
Agree on the Nitrates...if you are after growth, try keeping them between 10-20ppm instead. Weekly 50% is not too much.
Agree on the Nitrates...if you are after growth, try keeping them between 10-20ppm instead. Weekly 50% is not too much.
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
