Getting a mbu in the near future.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
So then why would you assume that the fish shown in the links above, at 21-22" TL is stunted?

Certainly we can agree that each & every fish within a species is not genetically wired exactly the same. Just as I'm sure we can agree that there is a possibility that the sex of the fish, and even the individual personality of each fish, may play a role as to what size it attains in captivity.

The odd specimen may attain "record" size in the wild, or even in captivity, you see this in all life forms, including fish, but that doesn't make that size the norm, or even the ideal size for all fish within that species. Here's a prime example of what I'm referring to:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2006/031606a.html
 
Ok, not necessarily stunted but maybe a runt?

BTW, that's one fat fish!
 
I don't understand why you would feel that Mbu was a runt, either?

In your opinion do all Mbu have to be 30" in TL in order for them to be healthy, non stunted, and and not considered a runt?
 
Well yes, considering the average size is 24".
 
I would ask if you were joking, but clearly you aren't.

Although I have yet to see any type of hard data to support that claim (average adult size of 24") just for arguments sake let's assume that is correct. Would it not then be logical to assume that some fish within this species will max out beyond the average size, as well as some slightly under it?

Or in your opinion do all Mbu have to be at least 24" (the average adult size) in order to not be declared stunted, or a runt?

Don't you see how ridiculous that is?
 
Yeah, I was thinking this discussion was getting kinda silly... ;) It is of my opinion that if the average size of a fish is let's say, 24" & the tank is only 24" wide & the fish only grows to 21", I might think the fish was stunted.
 
Well hopefully others will read this & draw their own conclusions.


BTW - that Mbu wasn't in a 24" wide tank when it died. It had been moved into a pond (at his work) when the heater malfunctioned resulting in the fishes death. I wonder which tank Boo would have preferred staying in?
Hmmmm.

And on that note I tend to focus more on the longevity of my fish, vs how large I can grow them out to based on someone else's idea of what the optimum adult size should be.
But hey, that's just me.
 
Heh, for an example supporting your theory, my fahaka is housed in the recommended 125g tank but in the & years I've had him I bet he's no longer than 12". I do weekly 75% WC on his tank. Maybe a her???
 
I thought that the recommended min tank size for a Fahaka was 120 gallons (48x24x24) due to the 24" width, and the max stated size for Fahaka being 18"?

Ruh-roh, sounds like a stunted/runted situation to me. :D
 
:p
 
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