Before Buying Cichlids - Watch This! (Pros & Cons of Buying Large vs. Juvie Cichlids)

[@robertsowinski164]

One thing I found, growing out smaller cichlids together, they seem to get along better. I have mbuna and peacocks that have been together since juvenile, I even have mollies that I raised with them that are all still getting a long.

[@cichlid_kings]

Awesome perspective. This goes back to some of those older videos, 3 or 4 years ago, when I first took a serious interest in keeping African Cichlids and did alot of reading forums and KZbin research on keeping them, that inevitably overwhelmed me at that time 😆 Fast forward to January 2021 and my wife and I got our first batch of juvies. Since then we have picked up some colored up 4+ larger juvie males. Both avenues have been alot of fun to watch them develop. By the way it has also been very cool seeing your channel evolve and develop to what it is today. I also think it is valid to say if you're buying from a reputable breeder there is a premium on this type of fish. I can say first hand from having two large batches of fry, it takes alot of time and effort to keep them healthy and to a point of being colored up for resale. I'm very thankful for all those reputable breeders that continue to provide quality fish for the hobby 😎

[@bishrob345]

Seems like after the COVID era fish arrived at the stores smaller than before; I must state I love them tiny and completely enjoy every bit of their transformation. I just picked up 8 Yellow Tail Acei Mbuna and they are all about 1/2 an inch and fired up!

[@fishkeepingexperience5755]

Great insights!!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you 😀👍🏻

[@markbaumgardt2868]

I'm the same Ben I like to watch juice fish grow out and I know it's age been in the hobby many years I have the knack of picking out a juvenile male really love your vids can't wait for the next 😊👍

[@kristenwinter8157]

That’s what I started to do. I buy 3-5 cichlids as juvies. I love watching them grow up and get their color. Iv also have more success with them being juvies and not being bullied by my bigger African cichlids. Now I went from a 75 to a 125 I don’t hardly see anyone getting bullied. Your tank is looking amazing!!

[@brianhahn3296]

Hi Ben I like the buy them young and raise them up, more enjoyable, thanks for sharing your vids still the best channel on here, looking forward to the 8ft tank buddy

[@mikejejenich7116]

Great video. 🐠. The obvious pro of buying. Juvie. Is there cheaper. Then full grown

[@dakiwifuit7587]

great contents. Thank you!

[@alejandrolisdero4531]

In my case, I keep butterfly koi in my 29 gallon. I bought 3 juvies and gradually added 2 and then 2 more. Because of disease and other factors I decided to keep only one. I'ts the stronger and has more colourful and patterns. The journey was a joy. Before these I bought a one, but was old. Lived with me only 9 months.

[@chrisstephens9113]

I’ve always been a fan of purchasing small and having the patience to wait. Hoping to see you at Aquashella at the end of the month. Are you going to have any merchandise for purchase?

[@BenOchart]

Might be giving away Glasscages tee shirts and channel stickers. Other merchandise is available at my Teespring store here: ben-ocharts-store.creator-spring.com

[@mraquaticnews5676]

Cool info Ben 👌

[@michellemeng1180]

When I got my 300 Gallon tank as a gift, I circulated water for over a year, because I was not sure shall I stock it with Malawi. During this one year, I watched your channel, and others, your tank remind me why I love Malawi. So this year I started to stock my tank from cichlid shack, 2nd order use your code and got discount. Thank you.

[@joeylovegrove1068]

Ya I just got 20 to 30 peacocks juvenile from an local breeder some are just starting to get blotches got a good price only 60 for the fish and a bit to cover gas so about 80 bucks

[@johnlarsen8308]

I try to buy small ones. I have a 90 gallon grow out tank. I get them under 2 inches and put them in with the big boys around 3.5 inches

[@Pitter919]

Hi Ben! Great channel! I recently set up a 55 gallon tank with 20 Mbuna. I heard you mention during yesterday’s stream that you got rid of all your Mbuna. Should I be worried? I already had to give 3 bullies back to Lisa at Super Cichlids! She is amazing to work with! I am enjoying them at the moment but do I need to be fearful for what lies ahead? I have Tropheops, elongatus, Yellow Tail Acei, Yellow Labs, Snow White Albino and Msobo Deep.

[@migueleespinosa2632]

Tropheous will end up ruling the tank.

[@Pitter919]

@@migueleespinosa2632 I have Tropheops not Tropheous

[@chrisp1195]

Hey Ben. Began cycling a 55 gallon. I’ve read that mbunas are perfect size for a 55. My question is which mbunas should I buy as a beginner and how many do you recommend to put in total in my 55 gallon??

[@BenOchart]

Build up a lot of caves, horizontally and vertically, and start with some yellow labs and some yellow tails. And if you can find them, throw 3 or 4 Rusty Mbuna in there

[@chrisp1195]

@@BenOchart thank you!

[@PULAG]

How to add juvies into an established cichlid tank that have larger ones? Is grow out tank the only option?

[@rossdingle6236]

Hi ben, i find that i have a better connection with fish that i have grown up from small size, either bought as juvenile or born in my tank. Buying adult fish you dont really know the age or anything.

[@BenOchart]

That’s true

[@michaeleber4752]

There is a factor that should be considered as well. Behavior. It is fascinating to observe how the fish behave and how they interact from young to mature. Especially when you end up with a few that paired up. Unfortunately many of the younger people today want that instant gratification. They do not know how much fun they do not have. Also I paid a lot (well a lot at that time) for a "mated pair" of gold severum and they never mated in my tank. So buyer beware.

[@BenOchart]

Good point. It's interesting watching fish develop an attitude and go from being a shy fish to tank boss.

[@jennydelgado5618]

What brand of krill and shrimp do you recommend? My other question is maybe you can help me I have three tanks one African cichlids one male betta and female betta tank how do I move or transport them from New York to Georgia any suggestions?

[@frankviera9977]

I found out that buying juvenile cichlids helps with aggression issues. A couple years ago, I get tired of the aggression of adults peacock and haps in my 55gals, so I sold them and bought juveniles, and raised them together. The aggression level went way down in that tank and make it more enjoyable. I know that nothing is guaranteed with cichlids, but that was my experience.

[@elizabethwagner2190]

Yesterday on your live my live chat went totally blank for the last 15 minutes of the show. Any idea what happened?

[@BenOchart]

That’s odd, no idea what might have caused that

[@elizabethwagner2190]

@@BenOchart I am completely flummoxed myself. Let's see if it ever happens again. I thought it was just over but you kept answering questions so weird right?

[@ajithfernando5762]

my tank is 3by 2by 2.parot and severum .have a 3feet dophin light.mostly white.any improve ments can b done in lighting.pleese advise

[@BenOchart]

I would have to see it to make any kind of meaningful recommendation.

[@elizabethwagner2190]

Every fish I've bought has survived and grown like crazy. I have females and males. Not into breeding really but just think I'll see nature take its course. Getting another tank going in case the aggression gets bad.

[@juancabrera3234]

Any chance I can find some nice Malawi hawks in la cA?

[@BenOchart]

Check Nolan’s in Santa Ana.

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

What do you do with fish that breed, a lot. And your now full of juvenile fish? Will local chain stores buy from local breeders?

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

I have found from my own experience that all my LFS. Do not want to pay you for any of your fish you may bring them, they later sell your fish for there own profits, so try selling them on Craigslist or another form? So you can make yourself so money and not the fish store.

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

@@Jerry-lj3cf Ya, that's kinda what I thought. I'm heavy on Green Terrors right now. Wonder if I can put them in an outside pond?

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

@@georgewilliamssr5230 where are you located cause of the green terrors are not available in my area or LFS. Maybe we could get them shipped out to me.

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

@@Jerry-lj3cf I am in Northern California. Up near Redding. And I have no idea of how to ship live packages

[@johnlarsen8308]

I never buy full size, i find tank aggressive characteristic start that way

[@jerrysfishroom3579]

I agree it is a mixed bag with Africans. The hardest thing I find is to give away the females.

[@jordanlabelle7697]

Your videos are the reason I have a 180 display tank with my big haps and peacocks 6-10” and I have a 75 with grow outs 3-4” fish. Also have another 75 with albino flauvcent breaders in lol love watch fish grow from eggs to adults

[@GSP-76]

When starting a tank up, you should buy juvenile fish so you can enjoy watching them grow up...that also gets them to be used to each other so they don't fight...but once they're grown up and you want to add more fish, you can't buy juveniles again or they will likely be killed by the adults.

[@cichlid_kings]

Every Huge African Cichlid in The 210 Gallon Tank Identified Link kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqnceKttrrJ3qJY

[@TEAMRamey]

The unwanted breeding due to unsexed juveniles growing under your watch, is always a risk.