Does breeding mean slower growth?

[LogiBear]

When large cichlids breed, do they realease some type if chemical or something that slows growth? Ive read that, and i cannot source this, when fish breed they tend to grow slower.

So if temp, food, and water quality were spot on, in a huge tank, would you get the same growth from a single fish of a species as a breeding pair?

 

[Stanzzzz7]

A single fish will grow a lot quicker than one breeding.
Think about all the energy that is used up in spawning. This will slow down growth considerably.

 

[Wailua Boy]

Reproduction means slower growth, most noticeably in females.

 

[LogiBear]

Ye

A single fish will grow a lot quicker than one breeding.
Think about all the energy that is used up in spawning. This will slow down growth considerably.

ah that makes sense.

So could you use it as a method to slow down a fish's growth in a healthy way?

Lets use my previous Festae as an example. They are too big for the 75 long term. But if they bred, would the growth slow down and give me more time to work towards a bigger tank? I mean, they would stay smaller longer, right? Or is it not very noticeable.

Basically, would it get me a couple minths of time, or would it only be the difference of a week or two. Using Festae as an example which usually grow pretty slow.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I have found if fish breed regularly it makes a big noticeable difference in growth rate, especially on the female.

 

[LogiBear]

I have found if fish breed regularly it makes a big noticeable difference in growth rate, especially on the female.

Ok. Thats pretty interesting to me actually...

So youre saying it could be done (although possibly not recomended) as long as the fish are consistently breeding (so they are always using some energy) and the only thing is that you have to make sure that they wont kill each other while breeding?

So basically i could use it to keep larger species in a small tank for a longer time? Like, Festae in it for a year instaed of 8 months or whatever. Right?

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Ok. Thats pretty interesting to me actually...

So youre saying it could be done (although possibly not recomended) as long as the fish are consistently breeding (so they are always using some energy) and the only thing is that you have to make sure that they wont kill each other while breeding?

So basically i could use it to keep larger species in a small tank for a longer time? Like, Festae in it for a year instaed of 8 months or whatever. Right?

It would be feasible if the breeding tank was huge.There will be times when your festae female won't be ready to breed, and if your male wants to, she will be in trouble.
I would not recommend it as a strategy unless you had a huge tank and multiple females.

 

[LogiBear]

It would be feasible if the breeding tank was huge.There will be times when your festae female won't be ready to breed, and if your male wants to, she will be in trouble.
I would not recommend it as a strategy unless you had a huge tank and multiple females.

Yeah so thats the part about making sure they can both stay alive. So either a bug tank, multiple females, or non-aggressive fish.

Thanks for all the info!