Will my pacu outgrow my tank? odds?

[frnchjeep]

If you keep a goldfish in a 5 gallon tank and run an Fx5 on it, the fish is not going to grow to their full 24" potential. They will maybe reach 5".

They will stop growing until they are in a tank/setting in which they can begin growing again.

They release hormones in the water in which prevents them from growing.. it's called Adrenergic regulation of growth hormone.

Filtration is irrelevant. Water with a build up of these hormones (and other things such as nitrates) is, as Bluey said, "not the best water quality". If filtration is adequate, and water changes are performed A LOT ( example: 50% 2x a day) to keep water quality "the best", that goldfish WILL reach nose to tail lengthwise in that tank.

Edit: also been there, done that.

 

[situs]

MAny factors contribute to the fish growth, the reason of slow growth could be stunned by tank space, diet and poor water parameter.

 

[Bluey]

Even water changes wouldn't make the hypothetical fish grow... trust me.. been there done that.

I had 2 fancy tailed comets in a 5 gallon for over a yr.. water changes were done every week and it was over filtered. They maxed at 4" while in that tank.

Moved them to a 1500 gallon pond, and they are about 9" now and growing.

Kinda weird because I have done the opp for years, Grown up goldies to nearly 30cm in a 60cm tank, or american cichlids in the same volume.

 

[bosanova]

Filtration is irrelevant. Water with a build up of these hormones (and other things such as nitrates) is, as Bluey said, "not the best water quality". If filtration is adequate, and water changes are performed A LOT ( example: 50% 2x a day) to keep water quality "the best", that goldfish WILL reach nose to tail lengthwise in that tank.

Edit: also been there, done that.

you guys seem to miss the point that the op is hopefully expecting to hear ,it certainly has done a good job stunting the fish so far, and has no intentions of moving his prize to a new lacation ,he only wants to feel at peace knowing that Pac will not get any bigger VOILA

 

[floridagar]

Lol actually both of you guys are right and idk never had a pacu but ive always seen them in a tank around here thats 500 gallons or bigger besides the ones they are selling.

 

[ecoli73]

Well, it's ops fish and he can do whatever he wants with it...but I feel sorry for that pacu.

 

[nicholasdances]

isn't there a pacu that's 25 years old and in a 75 gallon tank? ya it's obviously not the best situation for the fish, he is stunted and if you can get a bigger tank do it. but it's not impossible to keep him in there

 

[krichardson]

you guys seem to miss the point that the op is hopefully expecting to hear ,it certainly has done a good job stunting the fish so far, and has no intentions of moving his prize to a new lacation ,he only wants to feel at peace knowing that Pac will not get any bigger VOILA

This.

 

[pacu mom]

I don't want the automatic "yes, Pacu's grow 3-4 feet or whatever, actually think about it.

My red bellied pacu (named pac) lives in a 90 gallon tank, and has for 4 years and is just over a foot long. Now before you say "he'll outgrow within the year", keep in mind i've had him for 4 YEARS! What kind of odds do you give me for him not outgrowing the tank?

What are nitrate levels in your tank? Pacu
do well when nitrates are 20ppm or less. High nitrates can cause stunting, failure to thrive, and a host of other problems.

 

[importracer]

I don't want the automatic "yes, Pacu's grow 3-4 feet or whatever, actually think about it.

My red bellied pacu (named pac) lives in a 90 gallon tank, and has for 4 years and is just over a foot long. Now before you say "he'll outgrow within the year", keep in mind i've had him for 4 YEARS! What kind of odds do you give me for him not outgrowing the tank?

One of the more fortunate keepers of Pacu you turnd out to be.........The fish's growth was stunted due to the tank's size........It is experiences like this that give a lot of novice keepers the feeling that they can raise large fish species in small tanks......I had a local fish store raise a small black-belly pcau from a baby to 2 feet in a 125g tank...The fish lived in it for almost 15 years...........