Placidochromis Phenochilus?

[four_by_ken]

Another post got me thinking about this fish...

I have a Placidochromis Phenochilus in my 140 gallon... but it isnt showing any of the colorations that I see in pictures, not yet at least.  And, it seems to be growing VERY slowly. 

Slow growth common with these?

Is the picture I have attached here a common coloration, or one of those perfect specimen kind of things?

[four_by_ken]

I love blue fish... so this one is right up my ally.  I just want mine to grow!!!!  All the others are passing it up.


Do females get this color too?

[jcunningham0295]

Yes, the are slow growers and typically don't start showing the white spots from my expirence until they get north of 4" to 5".  The females stay a grayish color.  Attached is a picture of one of my breeder males, he is about 6" and is just now showing more of the white specs as they mature.  This picture is from five or six months ago.

[four_by_ken]

Your picture in the other thread got me thinking.  I hope mine will look like yours!

I just want mine to be more blue and get some more shades.  Its just a dark blue, blah color right now.  But, its about 2" long... at the MOST.

I sure hope its not a female or I am getting another one!

[jcunningham0295]

It will start to so some signs if it is a male probably around 2.5 or 3".  Where did you get your from?

[four_by_ken]

It will start to so some signs if it is a male probably around 2.5 or 3".  Where did you get your from?

Preuss.  They had about 6 of them around Christmas time I think it was.  I havent seen any since.  But, I dont make it to Preuss all that often.

I put it in my larger tank in the hopes that it would encourage faster growth.  I was about to take it out because it was getting picked on.  Then all of a sudden, the bullying stopped and it fits in great in the tank.  But, I always keep an eye on it.  Seems to be more on the passive side of the Africans.

[jcunningham0295]

It will start to so some signs if it is a male probably around 2.5 or 3".  Where did you get your from?

Preuss.  They had about 6 of them around Christmas time I think it was.  I havent seen any since.  But, I dont make it to Preuss all that often.

I put it in my larger tank in the hopes that it would encourage faster growth.  I was about to take it out because it was getting picked on.  Then all of a sudden, the bullying stopped and it fits in great in the tank.  But, I always keep an eye on it.  Seems to be more on the passive side of the Africans.

Cool, yes they are pretty passive.  I have two males and eight females in a 125 gallon and the two males usually co-exist without any issues.

[four_by_ken]

I bet that is one nice looking tank!!! 

Mind taking a picture of them all as a group?

[jcunningham0295]

I bet that is one nice looking tank!!! 

Mind taking a picture of them all as a group?

No problem.  I will take some when I am home tomorrow.

[theoryguru]

Beauties.

[jcunningham0295]

Here are some updated pics I took of my breeding group the other day.

[jcunningham0295]

Additional pic.

[theoryguru]

Awesome group!

[jcunningham0295]

Awesome group!

Thanks.

[linuxrulesusa]

Really like those blues!