Here is a question for ya all. My Blue peacock had a bunch of babies awhile back, 38 in all after I had moved them from one location to another. I put the fry in a grow out tank. Well I must not have gotten them all, she must have been holding a few. Anyhow there are three in the main tank now. The question is this, the fry in the main tank are at least two to three times larger than the fry in the grow out tank. I have seen this before, does anyone know what the rhyme or reason for this is? I am positive that the larger fry are not from a previous brood.

That's interesting. I have never done a grow out tank before, but could it be because the main tank is fed differently?

They're probably eating more food than the ones in the grow out tank. Maybe a food boost to the grow out tank may boost their size a bit.

Anyone else have this experience before?

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-Jim
Moderator - African Cichlids — SA Cichlids
See our cats at: Mostly Maine Coons
Fish stuff coming soon...

I was keeping my fry in a breeding trap for a while, but noticed a single fry that had escaped and he was a lot bigger. Obviously he was more at risk in the tank as several species of fish that I own are predatory, but I adapted Jim's "the strong will survive" philosophy and released all the fry into the main tank. They have tons of hiding spots and I see them darting around all the time.

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Joe Hackman
Check out my Cichlids http://www.sandmountain.com/Page.cfm?InfoID=1168

If your main tank is much larger than the grow out tank it could have an effect on the rate at which your fish are growing. Food also probably plays a major role.

As for the small guys holding their own, we keep lots of baby fish in our main tanks at Aquascapes. As long as they have places to hide there should not be a problem.

I have also noticed that many of the larger fish don't bother to chase the smaller ones because they do not see them as a threat. So they spend the day swimming after the fish who may pose themselves as rivals.

Hope this helps,

Justen

They even show more color then the fry in the grow out tank. I do not believe food is the issue. What if they are just imitating the adults? In effect I had better look like them and I had better get big real fast before I get eaten.

Sounds like they are just healthier in the main tank, perhaps it is a more accurate environment for them with regards to decorations and water chemistry.

Is there any difference in temperature between the tanks? I've heard that higher temps tend to stimulate their metabolisms.

My fry in the tank are far more active than they were in the breeder. Their bellies always seem full too, and the water currents are stronger than the breeder too.

Interesting stuff!

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Joe Hackman
Check out my Cichlids http://www.sandmountain.com/Page.cfm?InfoID=1168

well pobrobly your aquarium is much bigger than the grow out tank and must have more room. how big is the grow out ? and if there is 38 maybe they're over crowded

Just a little hint for people raising fry. Fry will grow faster the more active they are. So its generally a good idea to have the powerheads in the tank creating some type of current. Strong current is nice but make sure its not so strong that they are constantly fighting it. In doing this your fish will be stronger and develop quicker as your mussel tissue will build faster. This is much like physical rehab for someone who has been injured and is in need of quick recovery.


I figured this was relevant to this thread as its possible that this is part of the cause in the growth difference.