6" Clown Loach : 8 yrs old

[888fish]

A local is selling four 6" clowns that were personally raised since they were little.

What size should they be after 8 years? Maybe stunted?

Thx.


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[oneyedfish]

I have one that's about that age (7-8yrs old) got him at about 2", maybe a little smaller. He's currently a hair over 6". I don't think they are stunted. I'm sure the experts will chime in. Curious what others have to say.


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[fobrinkle]

not an expert but they grow very slow and live a long time

 

[bigbadfish711]

No ones going to be able to give you a definitive answer based on the information provided. Tank size, water conditions and diet over the last said 8 years are going to provide the answer you are looking for. Does the fish present any visible signs of being unhealthy or deformed in any manner? Talk to the person that's selling the fish they will be your best source of information. I personally have had clowns that grow slower thank others and the opposite. It really depends on the fish's genetics and its environment.

 

[fugupuff]

I don't know if its stunted, but I can tell you that in the wild they grow faster, probably reaching 12" in less than 5 years. There is something that we can't figure out is how to grow them out. Is it flow of water, temperature? water volume?

There is a theory on growth inhibiting hormone found in smaller volumes of water, which signals fish to stop growing to avoid over crowding and death.
Also look into millstream set up, laminar water flow, that could trigger fish to grow longer, the way they are in the wild. Look at all the loaches in captivity, they grow fat, but not longer.
Also the theory that adults live in a semi brackish mangrove tannin stained water. The additional calcium and minerals in the "brackish water" could aid it in body growth, as are many brackish fish

 

[felixxx]

As previously stated, your mileage may vary! I have noticed mine growing slower as i've added more to the pack so maybe this adds weight to the hormone theory.
I purchased a group of seven from a guy that were about ten years old, the largest two are just over 8" and the smallest around 4".