Is it true that fish only get as big as the tank gets trying to prove this to my brother he says this is what happens.
Fish size theory
- Thread starter PolypterusBoy2000
- Start date
Yes, a fish will only get to the size of it's tank. I could keep an RTC in my tank, but it would be SEVERELY stunted. Stunting = bad and unhealthy.
Well a fish will usually get stunted if kept in a tank too small.
However, you can compensate for the lack of size in the tank with constant water changes and a healthy tank.
I've read that anyway. In some university they did a test where they got a 10 gallon tank and put 10 feeding fish (Forgot the species) in the tank. The tank's ends were modified so that one wall was the intake and the other wall was the outtake - so that there was a constant flow of clean and healthy water along with a good current.
I forget how long the test lasted, but I do remember reading that even though it was a 10 gallon tank, each of fish grew so large that they barely had any room to swim at all, packed in there like sardines.
However, you can compensate for the lack of size in the tank with constant water changes and a healthy tank.
I've read that anyway. In some university they did a test where they got a 10 gallon tank and put 10 feeding fish (Forgot the species) in the tank. The tank's ends were modified so that one wall was the intake and the other wall was the outtake - so that there was a constant flow of clean and healthy water along with a good current.
I forget how long the test lasted, but I do remember reading that even though it was a 10 gallon tank, each of fish grew so large that they barely had any room to swim at all, packed in there like sardines.
Yes and no. It really depends on several factors. As long as you keep water clean, fish will continue to grow in it. Fish do release hormones naturally, that will stunt their growth if not removed through regular partial water changes. There does come a point where it is just not possible to keep up with the bio-load in a small tank.
If that was true, we'd have breeding pairs of pimas in 55 gal tanks, RTCs in brandy snifters, and gator gars in 10 gal tanks. No, that is a false tenet from decades ago when fish husbandry was in its beginnings and the idea of water quality only extended to maintaining clear tanks. Once it was discovered that captive fish in poorly cared for tanks suffered from nitrite poisoning (with associated decreases in normal growth/life span and increases in disease afflictions) new filtration techniques and advances in aquarium maintenance have nixed that old myth.
^indeed^
the undergravel filter is just an example of that.. it kept water super CLEAR (which back then was thought to mean all was well) but it was a nitrate trap if poorly maintianed...
the undergravel filter is just an example of that.. it kept water super CLEAR (which back then was thought to mean all was well) but it was a nitrate trap if poorly maintianed...
Like I said, there comes a certain point where it's impossible to keep up with the bio-load. You simlply wouldn't be able to change the water fast enough to allow the fish to continue to grow. The fish will stop growing though!
It's called:
DEATH.
It's called:
DEATH.
I agree, yeah, changing water helps, but it's a whole lot economical and "logical" to just get a bigger tank.
It'll cost you a pretty penny of course, but if you're serious about the hobby, it'll be a good investment in the long run.
It'll cost you a pretty penny of course, but if you're serious about the hobby, it'll be a good investment in the long run.
Ok, I think what we're all trying to say here, is that it is a total myth that fish will only grow to the size of their environment. They will continue to grow to the point that they become physically deformed or die of nitrite/nitrate poisoning (brown blood disease). So yes, tell your brother that you are right, and he is wrong, cause all the MFK'ers said so!