Speeding Up Growth Rates

[michaelh]

Hi again guys!
I would love to speed up the growth of a couple of angel fish and a few hondauran red points.
Steps taken so far are daily water changes, more space and have brought some live bloodworm.
Firstly how often would it be "OK" to feed the live bloodworm?
I only ever fed freeze dried once a week.
Secondly what else would you guys/gals do to speed up growth speeds? Not big on the idea of upping temps as angels are at 27/28 and HRP's are at 26 which i belive to be at the higher end of their tolerable temp range. If this could/should change either up or down please do tell .
Any response will be apreciated and thanks in advance

 

[lloyd]

hi not sure if it helps but have kept healthy red points at 28-29 and they were fine. quite a few sites so its within there wild temp range

 

[michaelh]

Oh really? Kept at 28 as a permenant temp or just for short periods?
If it was long term i shall set it for 27 tonight
Would 2 deg actually make a noticable difference just out of interest?

 

[lloyd]

yeah 2 deg would make a difference. i didnt keep them longterm cuz it is high end for them but they can take quite long spells at those temps. i would just keep an eye on them if you do turn it up cuz any thing quick and any thing new can be a shock for them. i would suggest lots of water changes but your already doing that

 

[michaelh]

Fair enough. What does 28 deg for weekends/26 fo weekdays sound like? Or would i be better off at 28 for like a month then just keep to 26? Water changes make for lots of hard work but that apears to be the cost lol. Ive got 25% markers on my tank and empty that EVERY day lol

 

[lloyd]

to be honeswt i would be keeping them perminantly at 27 and raise it 28 now and then if you like. maybe for a fortnight or so. some people keep the perminant at 28 but its down to the owner really

 

[Tolak]

Angels will tolerate 32C without a problem. Feed small amounts often, change water a few times weekly, watch them grow. I'd imagine being a Central American cichlid the HRP's shouldn't have a problem with 30C.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Earth worms, the kind you buy for bait. Just cut them into bite size pieces. That and frequent water changes will have them grown in no time at all.

 

[minnnt]

There will be more nutritional content in something like tetra prima long term rather than live food.

A perfect setup for quick growth would be imo...

36" tank at least
Daily 10-20% water changes
Feed small amounts of something like prima 4-5 times daily
Feed bloodworm/chopped up prawns twice a week
Constant temperature of 28 degrees celcius

 

[michaelh]

Thank you all for your responces!
Minnt, their tank is a 48" and water changes are 25% so thats gotta be good.
I am currently feeding king british natural cichlid in the morning, hakari cichlid exel in afternoon and bloodworm just before ligts out.
Would you reccomend i drop the exel? Or change the flakes?

 

[michaelh]

Angels will tolerate 32C without a problem. Feed small amounts often, change water a few times weekly, watch them grow. I'd imagine being a Central American cichlid the HRP's shouldn't have a problem with 30C.

I had heard people keeping them with discus so would figure but their seems almost somthing wrong with 30+ deg, any higher and my missus will get the chips out lol. Ill see how they take to it over the next couple days. Thanks

 

[minnnt]

If Tolak says 32, then do 32. Lol. Do you know how many Angels he has?

Your setup sounds great tbh, maybe you're just expecting too much? I sometimes do this.

I would drop the King British tbh and replace with NLS. I would also replace the live food everyday with NLS and feed live twice a week.

 

[michaelh]

If Tolak says 32, then do 32. Lol. Do you know how many Angels he has?

Your setup sounds great tbh, maybe you're just expecting too much? I sometimes do this.

I would drop the King British tbh and replace with NLS. I would also replace the live food everyday with NLS and feed live twice a week.

Just adjusted heater to 29. Ill go up 1 deg an hour untill it gets to 32.
Any excuse to go to the LFS is fine by me even if its just for food lol.
Tolak i would love too see some of your angels (didnt know you kept them)

 

[minnnt]

I think he was just stating that they would be ok at 32. I would be happy with them at 28 though.

 

[michaelh]

I think he was just stating that they would be ok at 32. I would be happy with them at 28 though.

Ye gathered that but thanks for checking. They're at 30 now but ill probs put it back to 28 tomorrow or somthing. I think large angels look so cool and most of mine are quite small.. Lol