How long for JD's to grow full length?

**convict** · 12-15-2010, 01:19 AM

I've had my JD's for almost a year and they're only 6". How much longer will they keep growing or is that as big as they're going to get?

**MCHRKiller** · 12-15-2010, 01:39 AM

Most JDs top out in the 9" range, 6" isnt terrible growth for a year however I would have expected them to be atleast 7-8". You can improve their growth by upping water changes and feeding them a higher protein diet. Keep in mind that most cichlids require some vegetation in their diet as well, it aids digestion and improves coloration. What size tank are they in?

**convict** · 12-15-2010, 02:33 AM

They're in a 55 gal. I feed them peas. And I give them Cichlid Gold. In the summer I give them earthworms and bugs. What else should I feed them?

**MCHRKiller** · 12-15-2010, 04:06 AM

Try some frozen krill soaked in some selcon, as well as some chopped raw shrimp or even the occasional beefheart. How many do you have in your 55G? What are the water parms?

**convict** · 12-16-2010, 01:05 AM

I have 2, a male and a female. The parms
Gh 120
Kh 0
pH 7.0
NO2 0
NO3 80(It was much lower last week but I added a whole bunch of fish).
Can I feed them raw fish from the grocery store?

**MCHRKiller** · 12-16-2010, 01:40 AM

I would definitely get some waterchanges going to drop your nitrate...40 is the max for FW fish to live comfortably. Honestly it should be around 20ppm. You can feed raw fish from the grocery store...any human grade food is worth a try. Try adding some floating plants if you cant get your nitrates under control easily. Also the 2 JDs alone in the 55G will soon be more than it can handle much less any other fish.

**convict** · 12-16-2010, 03:39 AM

The other fish I added are convicts(feeder fish). The male and female are a pair and they get along and I read that a pair of JD's will do fine in a 55G but that is the minimum. Thank you for your help.