A mini-cycle definitely occurred. My ammonia levels were at .5 yesterday.
I made a rookie mistake feeding them 5 times per day when I had just added a large bioload to the tank a week ago.
To combat the ammonia, I have some prime coming tomorrow and did a 50% water change today and will continue to do daily water changes and watch this ammonia like a hawk.
I also only fed one time today (Al's blackworm flat cubes and they loved them!) instead of 5 times like a noob.
Since they are 3.5" - 4", I would like to get back up to 3 feedings per day. Do you all think that is enough?
No you don't throw them...
Jody-
We're here for a good time...not a long time
Ask and you shall receive.
So far so good - I have been their steward for over a full week now.
Does the blue diamond in the second picture look stunted? Do any others look stunted?
For reference these guys are all between 3.5" - 4."
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No you don't throw them...
Jody-
Thanks for the pics!
I don't know if they are stunned or not, but from the pics they look a little thin to me, and nothing that you cant fix. Other than that they look really good.
Like you said, you've only had them for a week. I do know that how you care for them over the next 8 to 12 months will have a huge impact on how much they beef up.
I've always raised my juveniles on a beef heart mix, freeze dried black worms and granules of one sought or another...many small feeds often throughout the day coupled with water changes as required.
The most important thing of all though is that you enjoy what you have and watch how they progress. It can be a real enjoyable experience.
Enjoy
We're here for a good time...not a long time