Mix 1" with 3" or rear separately and mix later?

[Nootrophic]

I have 13 duboisi sized at 2.5" - 3" and 10 sized at 1"-1.5".  Eventually, I want to merge them all into 1 tank, and in an ideal world, they'd all be about the same size.  So how do I best achieve this?

I'm currently keeping them separately in order to get the 1" to grow quicker at slightly higher temperature and more frequent water changes and feedings.  I've read that these fish should be introduced to each other as young as possible, so I worry about waiting to merge them, as the 3" duboisi which are already starting to develop the yellow stripes.

Should I then merge them now, or keep growing the 1" fish a bit longer?



And as a side note, when growing Mbunas, I have found that feeding them continuously produces the best growth results, and have had 0 problems with what some might call overfeeding.  I am new to Tropheus, so was wondering if pushing the feeding regimen is definitely playing with fire?

[...]

You can merge them now. Just add the smaller ones at lights out at night. I have seen plenty of tanks where people let holding females spit fry in the tank and the adults for the most part leave them alone. Sub-adults and fry @ 1-1.5" from should be fine. Just make sure you have a some rock work the little guys can escape into if the bigger guys get a bit aggressive.

I would discourage you from pushing the feeding too hard. If you have good lighting they will graze on biofilm and algae all day long. This in addition to 3-4 light feedings a day will maximize their growth. Over feeding Troph's is the no.1 cause of intestinal sickness. Troph's aren't meant to be fat and they will beg like they are starving Every time you walk by the tank. Don't give in. Lol. A lean troph (not emaciated) is a hungry and healthy troph.
Throw up a vid of your set up so we can check it out. All the best mate!

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

I agree. I think that as long as you have hiding spots and acclimate them properly it's fine to introduce fry to even wild adults. Which I've done successfully.

I also like to use clear bags or tubs to float the new fry in so that the current residents can see them but not feel compelled to chase as they won't be fleeing.