Who Gives A Fish Forums

And don't forget to feed them well during QT. They're still growing fast at that stage.

I move mine when they're about 1.5 inches. Less stress on them and easier to manage water quality in a bigger tank.

Egg yolk can work in a pinch, but it's messy and can foul the water fast. Stick with brine shrimp or powdered foods for consistency.

I've had success with microworms too, but brine shrimp are the gold standard. What's your water change routine like now? If you're not already doing daily changes, you might see slower growth.

dustybrook wrote: ↑Wed May 21, 2025 6:09 am Yep, cichlids can be rough on plants. I've had better luck with Anubias tied to driftwood. They're tough and the cichlids don't mess with 'em as much.

Anubias is a solid choice. I've also had success with Bolbitis, but it's a bit pricier.

Snack theory's genius. I toss in a cube of bloodworms post-change, and now they crowd the front when I grab the hose. Pavlov's discus, ha.

SunKnot wrote: ↑Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:25 pm Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try fasting them for a day and check the filter. The belly feels firm, so maybe it's eggs. I'll update if anything changes.

Firm belly could definitely be eggs. If it's a female, she might be ready to spawn. Keep us posted!

Could be constipation or internal parasites. Have you noticed any white stringy poop? That's usually a sign of parasites. If not, maybe try fasting them for a day or two and see if the bloating goes down.