Rubesecens question

[illpoet]

So i picked up some ruby reds from the last meeting and i'm loving them. One that has really grown on me is a little guy who is only about an inch but he's already coloring up like crazy. he has a little girlfriend, i was thinking of giving him and her a 20 gallon, possibly with another female. The dominate male doesn't seem to get angry about color since the sub dominate male is also really colored. Maybe because theres plenty of females in the tank. Basically i figure if he's showing that much color as a juvenile he's gonna be fantastic once he grows up! My question is, if i was to seperate him from the group in his own tank would he color up more/grow faster? your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

 

[Pat Kelly]

Its hard to say.
I would think the color would not change but he may grow quicker if he is not competing for foods and not chasing females.
Women stunt your growth. LOL
Kidding of course but
I believe that when fish start breeding early they don't grow as quick.

My opinion only.

 

[SubMariner]

If you're moving him to a larger tank then yes and if you give him a harem then yes he'll color up more. Just a thought... There are other secrets, but I'd have to kill you. Lol!

 

[illpoet]

yeah thats what i was thinking about the harem, unfortunately all i'd have available is a 75 gallon corner tank! ugh, i kind of hate it because its 75 gallons straight up. but lol, its still a tank so i have it set up and cycling. do you think that would be ok for a 1.5 inch male and 2 2" females and maybe a dither or two to fill the upper water column?

 

[illpoet]

I believe that when fish start breeding early they don't grow as quick.

so does this mean that he can already breed although he's still a juvie? and is it common for him to start showing color so small? i thought they took some time but these are my first rubies.

 

[Tony]

Hey Tym.

Glad those ruby reds are working out for you.

If it were me, I'd move them to a 20L for a while. They will outgrow it eventually, but should have many happy months in that tank. If you put them in too large a tank, they will tend to hide a lot more and feeding them will be more difficult/wasteful.

I've heard that breeding them will slow down their growth a bit, but having them in their own tank, not having to compete with other fish for food should speed their growth up significantly.