How Fast Do Peacock Cichlids Grow: 6 Tips for Faster and Healthier Growth!

ByLinda Corley Updated

Peacock cichlids are one of the most popular tropical fish in the hobby, and for a good reason. They are beautiful, hardy, and easy to care for. In addition, they are one the fastest growing of all tropical fish. So how do you maximize their growth potential?

Peacock cichlids can increase if they are provided with adequate food and water. It will grow up to 1 to 1.5 inches within six months. They will also breed rapidly, so keep an eye on their population size to ensure they don’t outgrow their space in the tank.

How to Grow Peacock Cichlids Fast?

To grow peacock cichlids fast, you need to provide them with a good environment and plenty of food. Here are the best practices that you can do to help your peacock cichlids grow fast:

Big Tank With Space for Fish Activities

A large tank is necessary for peacock cichlids to thrive, as they love to swim and explore. Provide plenty of hiding spots, caves, and rocks to rest on, and ensure the tank has good quality water with adequate oxygen levels. A sturdy substrate such as gravel or sand is also a must. Moreover, acceptable substrate density and high lighting levels are essential for their health. If you keep them in a small tank, they may grow too slow or become stressed out by the lack of space.

Healthy Diet and Proper Feeding

A healthy diet for cichlids includes a variety of foods that provide all the nutrients your fish need to grow and thrive. A nutritious and well-rounded diet includes plenty of high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Make sure to feed your cichlid a varied diet to ensure they get all the vital nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Feed them small meals 3-4 times a day, and ensure they have enough salt and water.

Safe and Clean Aquarium Environment

Keep their tank clean by changing the water regularly, adding fresh food and water, and removing waste. If your cichlid does not seem happy in its new home or if it is displaying signs of illness, please consult a veterinarian before moving forward with rehoming. Socialize your fish to avoid loneliness, stress, injury from rough handling, or impaired immunity. Moreover, socializing is essential for cichlids so that they start forming solid relationships with other peacock cichlids in their new home aquarium. Also, provide them enough time outside the habitat (but never lock this species away). Find an area consistently more excellent than their current environment – the deeper, the better.

Ensure Your Peacock Cichlids’ Happiness

If you keep your fish healthy and happy, they will return the favor by providing years of enjoyment. When introducing a new cichlid into an existing aquarium or moving a cichlid from one tank to another, follow these simple instructions: After the cichlid has settled in, we suggest putting a cracker on it. Sand is an ideal substrate for this fish to burrow into and grow. Keeping your aquarium clean will help maintain healthy water quality by removing decaying organics, algae growth, and any waste that may have fallen out of their bodies when they emerged from the eggs or were first moved from one tank to another. This type of waste is poisonous so avoid introducing organic waste into your cichlid tank. The best way to keep your fish healthy and happy is to provide them with a clean, well-lit tank and plenty of freshwaters. Many cichlids species require specific water conditions, so be sure to check the label on your fish before purchasing them.

Prevent and Treat Illness and Stress

Many fish diseases and disorders can be attributed to the stress our fish are experiencing. Poor water quality, inadequate filtration, incompatible tank mates, flooding, or overwatering all contribute to a stressed-out fish. Many cichlid species are territorial when first introduced into new homes, so make sure there is plenty of room. Provide your cichlid with an area where they can hide and feel secure.

Here are some signs of stress and ways to help your fish:

  • pH problems and excessive ammonia: If the pH of your tank is running lower than 6.0, the second set of water parameters should be run (available in most fish stores) to raise it back up again. You can usually do this while you are at work or after yourself during the day.
  • Too much vegetable matter: Iodized salt masks bad smells caused by decaying plants that may have overloaded one cichlid with their waste. However, vegetable matter can also be a stressor for your fish, so keep this type of growth at a minimum.
  • Excessively stunted plants: The good news is that most ornamental cichlids will have sufficient acclimation time and healthy nutritious substrate such as high-nitrate freshwaters to make them happy again. If the plants appear stunted, then it’s likely they weren’t eating enough food and putting out their excess waste. They were either stressed through over-stocking, so try adding some new plants to give your fish a much-needed boost in nutrients.
  • Excessively scattered algae: This is usually referred to as “plants dying” for most cichlids. It’s normal for it to happen, especially when you first put them into their tank, but after about six months, these conditions are caused by poor water quality and stress. Keeping a clean filter and healthy plants ensure that it doesn’t happen frequently.
  • Excessively pale fish: If your cichlid is stressed, you can usually tell this by the color of their fins (darker = healthier). For larger fish, dark blotchy patches on their fins could indicate disease or ultraviolet light, causing damage to internal organs. In these cases, it’s crucial to restock your tank with healthy specimens, so the best thing is to replace them and call it a day.
  • Stressful behavior: Most ornamental cichlids will exhibit different behaviors in their native habitats depending on their stressors; for instance, some South American species tend not to join mixed-species groups at risk of getting bullied by others or more vigorous fishes that are trying to pick off recruits. This behavior is challenging to predict, and it’s important not to pinch off a nose bone or caudal fin unless necessary. Drilling rocks in your container is also stressful. This could potentially cause unwanted tiny fractures that can lead to disease and other ailments (which would either result in the fish’s death or have dire consequences on their performance).

Provide Aquarium Requirements

The best tank conditions for peacock cichlids are medium-sized tanks with plenty of hiding places and plants. They should also be kept in the water at around 82 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can tolerate slightly cooler or warmer temperatures as long as they have access to clean water.

  • Heater: To keep the tank constant at 82 degrees Fahrenheit, you need a good quality heater. A cheap one will not do the trick and could potentially cause your fish harm. A temperature controller is also recommended for better accuracy when keeping track of the temperature in your tank.
  • Filtration: The tank should be heavily filtered to maintain clean water. A good quality filter will trap small particles and help keep your fish healthy.
  • Substrate: The substrate should be made of safe material for fish, such as gravel or pebbles. Neither of these requires you to water them constantly, and they will hold their shape well over time.
  • Lighting: Peacock cichlids don’t require a lot of light, but they do need some to survive. A sound lighting system should provide around 10-12 hours of sunshine per day. You can buy an artificial grow light or use a simple fluorescent bulb.
  • Plants and decoration: One of the best things you can do for your peacock cichlid is add some plants and decorations to their tank. This will add oxygen, shade, and excitement to their environment, which will help them feel happier and healthier.