Tropical Fish Forums

[jennybug]

When I first started my african cichlid tank in April 2011, I purchased a 1 inch auratus, a 1 inch red peacock, and a 2 inch livingstonii. Four months have passed and my livingstonii is about 5 inches, my red peacock is about 3 inches, and my auratus hasn't grown at all. I've since added other assorted africans, but he just hangs out with a lamprologus ocellatus, who is the same size.
Do these fish take their time growing? Or did I buy a runt?

[diademhill]

You may well have purchased a runt or a pre - stunted fish.
How are you feeding these fish as a suitable diet for some could be deadly to others and occies & Haps are not a good combination.

[kaybee]

To comment on the venustus, they have a greater growth rate than mbuna's such as auratus.

Agreed that keeping auratus, peacocks and venustus isn't a good idea (when thinking about the long-term consequences).

The auratus may be a runt but should grow in time (and will likely take over the tank when it does).

What are you feeding these cichlids?