New Member Of My Collection Arrived :-D

[Big_eyes]

New member of my cichlid collection arrived today and I'm really really pleased to say the least. Only a small nipper though, about 2 1/2 inches so a bit of colouring up and growing to do yet.

Can't wait to get a few more of them.

I know that they're slow growers but how much can I expect it to grow in say 6 months?

Anyone now what size/age they start to colour up a bit?

Poor thing isn't much bigger than the bolivian rams, he's trying desperately to be their friend but they just square up to him and chase him away

 

[kaivalagi]

I have one, he hasn't grown much (< 1" in 2 months) but I expect more growth in the bigger tank when he moves in shortly...no major colouring as yet but he's about the same size and colouration as yours.

My pH is a tad high so I have been wondering whether this might have held back growth too, my pH is around 7.5 at present.

He's a tough little fella though, he holds his own against a HRP, FM and Port Acara, all around 3.5" or so and who have much bigger builds than him, this is all in a 125L tank...

I can't wait to get him in the 5ft'er, I may get some brothers and sisters for him if I can find any

 

[england]

Very nice addition,hope you enjoy it

 

[Wills]

Is it a red head? My geo sp.tocantis are growing a little faster than I was expecting but only like maybe 3/4 of an inch over 3 months...... one has got noticeably bigger though and would assume that that is my male. Colours come fast as well

 

[Wills]

gah stupid double post

 

[Big_eyes]

Aye it's a red head, settled in nicely.

Rams are really giving him some stick though, hopefully that will pass once everyone's settled.

 

[star4]

Yeah got one! well pleased for you.

 

[kaivalagi]

Aye it's a red head, settled in nicely.

Rams are really giving him some stick though, hopefully that will pass once everyone's settled.

I found that my tapajos was taking stick from my port acara aptly named "chase" for the first week, no injuries just lots of chasing, he is very nimble! I was very surprised to then see him take on the port acara when he'd finally had enough...the port acara now gives him more of a wide berth and thinks twice about chasing him

My only concern would be that you "tapa" turns things around on the rams and then becomes the problem and not the victim. Early days though...each fish is different and all that

 

[Big_eyes]

It should be a red head anyway - I keep looking and wondering if it is

The chappie I got it from had it with lots of surinamensis young'uns.

The bit that makes me wonder most is that the top fins edge has a black line along it. Thought it would be red

 

[kaivalagi]

No red for mine either and the LFS was adamant it was a tapajos and I believe him...early days

 

[Big_eyes]

Aye, like I say it's the black edging to it's top fin that's making me wonder. I don't mind if it isn't a tapajo but I can't say I wont be disappointed too after waiting so long.

His fins are torn to shreds now, still no relief from the rams. Tempted to move them on

 

[kaivalagi]

Sorry to hear that he's being picked on

Mine has black edging too...

 

[Big_eyes]

Tables have turned, fins all healed and he now stands up to the rams when they come charging at him. Usually followed by him chasing them off

Has a slight bit of a pink tinge to his head now too, can't wait for the colouring to come out!

Don't know why I keep calling it a he

 

[kaivalagi]

Cool, looks like he (I'm calling it a he now) has done the exact same as mine. These fish do seem to take quite a lot of stick don't they and then they just turn when they've finally had it... probably a vicious little side swiper at times like mine I bet too The thing is you can blame him, it serves the other fish for being so nasty to him in the first place

Mine holds his own against a 10cm Port Acara (and bulky at that too) with no problem at all....if I had a pack of them (which I was planning to have) I think they would probably terrorise the rest of the tank though

 

[Big_eyes]

I think somethings wrong

It keeps quivering its top fin really quickly and sort of sitting mid tank (not on the bottom) wobbling left and right as though it is rocking sideways on its tummy.

Is this bad?

It can't be down to water issues, I do 3 20% water changes a week ( getting rid of tannin coloured water )