[Arme]

Hi,
new to these, does anyone know the holding days before stripping the females of these sp.?
I have one that has been holding for 10 days and another for 4 days!
Thanks, Paul

 

[Joea]

18 days is usually the preferred amount of holding time before stripping Malawi cichlids.

 

[eoconnor]

Hi,

Does anyone know what size they color up? I bought 6 about 8-9 months ago, the largest is almost 4 inches and not a hint of color, the next is slightly over 3 inches probably with the smallest two about two inches? They seem to grow slowly as well despite eating quite well.

 

[Sulfurhead]

my dominant male colored up and started breeding around 3.5". He's pretty much fully colored up(more than happy if he colors up more) at 4".

I also noticed that my group grew slowly.

Do you have them housed with anything else, that may be your color dilema

 

[F8LBITEva]

yes mine have grown slowly and Im starting to see a little blue on the face and a little red on the anal fin. Here's mine on the bottom middle

 

[igetbombed1977]

I have raised a few hundred fry of these throughout the years, and to put it bluntly - I hate them! LOL. They are gorgeous when they do finally show full color - but it takes well over a year in most cases for that to happen.

They are slow growers, and even slower in showing color!

As for the stripping question - 18 days is ideal. But why strip? I'm not an advocate of stripping. If you have the tank space - isolate the holding female and let her do it the "natural way". Or as close to natural as one can get in an aquarium. :thumb:

 

[eoconnor]

Okay so I guess its normal, the dad of mine was an absolute stunner, I just have to wait I guess. I do house them with other fish but they aren't harassed at all, so I don't think thats it. I strip only because I prefer that the female goes immediately back into the tank so she's never 'missed' and then treated like a new fish. Stripping isn't natural of course but it doesn't harm the fish and they can eat again sooner. But of course many people like to let them go it on their own.

Eric

 

[Arme]

Thanks for the info! Mine only took 8 months to color up, and the alpha male is absolutely stunning! On the other side, the other two subdominate males are pretty colorful as well, but are lacking the intense hues and longer fins. They are also bigger than the dominate male.They are housed in a 125 along with a few Fronts.
Thanks agin,
Paul