Walmart African Cichlids!

[HairyTornado™]

Alright, I got some African cichlids from Eddie at BlueGrassCichlids. I got Aulonocara Albino Eureka Red, Aulonocara baenschi, Aulonocara sp. Maleri Rubin Red, and Otopharynx Lithobates. I got four of each species, so far so good. They are all below 2".

Well, I went to WalMart today, and just for the heck of it I decided to check out their Africans. All their fish were about the same size as mine, and assumably were around the same age. I saw some Aulonocara baenschi in there, as well as some Aulonocara hansbaenschi Red Shoulder. They were really showing A LOT of their colors, enough that you could easily distiguish which species they were. Mine on the other hand, which came from a reputable breeder and are around the same size, are just starting to show hints of colors coming in.

What gives? Is it all hormones? Maybe they actually have a good source for their fish? I didn't even see that many hybrids in there, which was unusual. I don't know, what'cha think?

 

[kribensis12]

Is it possible that your arent showing color from lack of nutrient's, or maybe yours are a little younger than the walmart one's, or that yours are stressed out?

 

[dthoffsett]

Well on a fluke Walmart could have actually gotten a decent shipment, however, I wouldn't expect that to last.

Give your's some time, I'm sure in the long run your's will be far superior specimens.

 

[HairyTornado™]

Is it possible that your arent showing color from lack of nutrient's, or maybe yours are a little younger than the walmart one's, or that yours are stressed out?

Not from lack of nutrients, know that for a fact. Feed them five different types of pellets, then on top of that they get mysis shrimp and brine occassionally. So they are getting a very well balanced diet.

Its possible that they are younger, not entirely sure though. They look relatively around the same size, possibly a little smaller. They might be younger, but from looking at them in the tanks, they appear to be right close together from what I gathered.

I don't really know why mine would be stressed out. There are only 16 of them in 55gal tank, plenty of hiding places, and are fed well. The ones at Walmart though are in a 10gal, maybe a 15gal. There are also about 30 Africans in the same tank, with no place to hide, BRIGHT lights as well. To me, that would be stressful as all get out.

Well on a fluke Walmart could have actually gotten a decent shipment, however, I wouldn't expect that to last.

Give your's some time, I'm sure in the long run your's will be far superior specimens.

I'm tempted to set up another 55gal tank and do an experiment with them. Get some of the same species that I have in my tank currently from Walmart, feed them the same foods, same parameters and the like, and see if they grow up to look the same. Don't really have the space/money to do something like that though.

 

[BORDER]

Is it possible that your arent showing color from lack of nutrient's, or maybe yours are a little younger than the walmart one's, or that yours are stressed out?

Not from lack of nutrients, know that for a fact. Feed them five different types of pellets, then on top of that they get mysis shrimp and brine occassionally. So they are getting a very well balanced diet.

Its possible that they are younger, not entirely sure though. They look relatively around the same size, possibly a little smaller. They might be younger, but from looking at them in the tanks, they appear to be right close together from what I gathered.

I don't really know why mine would be stressed out. There are only 16 of them in 55gal tank, plenty of hiding places, and are fed well. The ones at Walmart though are in a 10gal, maybe a 15gal. There are also about 30 Africans in the same tank, with no place to hide, BRIGHT lights as well. To me, that would be stressful as all get out.

Well on a fluke Walmart could have actually gotten a decent shipment, however, I wouldn't expect that to last.

Give your's some time, I'm sure in the long run your's will be far superior specimens.

I'm tempted to set up another 55gal tank and do an experiment with them. Get some of the same species that I have in my tank currently from Walmart, feed them the same foods, same parameters and the like, and see if they grow up to look the same. Don't really have the space/money to do something like that though.

Maybe they could be colour feeding them