Gibbiceps Growth

[Divemaster]

I've had my P. gibbiceps since I purchased him last April at 2". It's now almost 17 months later and he's still only 4" for some reason. I had him in my 30 gallon tall until 3" and then I put him in my 75 back in February but he's only grown about an inch or so since then. I'm not sure why considering my water is very clean in both tanks (nitrates always under 40 ppm and usually under 20 ppm) and the temperature is 74-76 F. He used to eat everything he could including algae wafers, shrimp pellets, and the occasional piece of zucchini. Now he's very picky and he'll only eat zucchini, squash, and leftover shrimp pellets from my bullhead once they get very soft. For a while when I had cichlids in the 75 with him he was constantly getting frayed fins (mainly his dorsal and caudal) but now that seems to have healed up almost completely. And then about a week ago he had red swollen marks on each side of his mouth and he wouldn't chew in anything for more than a few second before swimming around rapidly and angrily. That has also healed up since then. All that I have a feeling is contributing to his very, very slow growth rate. I know his species grows slow but this is ridiculous. If you have any ideas why this is and/or how to get him to grow faster please let me know.

[Narwhal72]

Still seems to be right on pace for a fish that lives 10+ years. I wouldn't be concerned.

[Bas Pels]

I got mine @ 6 cm, after a year they were 17 cm, and a year later 25 or so

Noiw, after 10 years they are some 45 cm

Fish need obviously food, but also clean water. Your taks do seam a bit small to me, I kept and keep mine in lager tanks: started out with 6 in a 2800 l tank, which now contains 2

Can't say what you are doing wrong, but the fish should grow much more rapidly

[Richard B]

Most do seem to be quick growers.

Perhaps the bullhead is eating the lions share of the food - zuchini isn't the most nutritious of foods although the 'grazing plecs' do like it. I'd be tempted to soak a few shrimp pellets to feed 10 mins after feeding the bullhead - that way the bullhead should be satisfied & the Gibbi should get a better food source

[Divemaster]

I only keep mine in a 75 gallon as a growout, he'll go in a 240 gallon eventually once he hits around 9-10". The bullhead doesn't really eat his food, I always watch them when I feed and the bullhead hates zucchini. I'll try to soak the pellets tonight.

[Divemaster]

He was in the very front of the tank yesterday facing sideways so I decided to measure him and with a measuring tape he's roughly 5" so longer than I thought he was. Guess he's growing a bit faster anyway.