Realistically How Big do RTC's Get..
- Thread starter Deep Blue Sea
- Start date
polish;4542035; said:
I am quoting my own post because it was either missed by the OP or ignored. Either way it proves they can grow to wild sizes in a tank, so case closed.
If you look at the ops avatar, it appears that he has two smaller RTCs in a tank that they cannot even lay across. Yeah, that's way to small bud.
On the topic of growth potential in a species of fish, there are many factors that contribute towards size. Genetics, diet, activity levels, temperature, water chemistry, seasonal shifts in weather, and available space all play a very important part in maximum size realized. In the aquarium, fish don't usually get the varied diet they would in the wild, so some vital nutrients or vitamins and minerals and stuff might not be present in sufficient quantities to allow for maximum growth potential. Also, there are seasons in the wild, and those seasons can trigger times of growth and times of rest. Those natural cycles may be important for maximum growth potential. And lastly, genetics. When a fish is born, it is "programed" to grow to a certain size, just like every other type of higher order life form onthe planet. In the case of RTCs, I have seen plenty of documentation to prove that they can, and mostly likely will, break 5'. The fact that they do not do so in captivity is an excellent argument for not keeping them in tanks.
As a small aside, I left this website for allmost 6 months because of name calling and ignorance. Why can't we just have a polite discussion without resorting to childness?
On the topic of growth potential in a species of fish, there are many factors that contribute towards size. Genetics, diet, activity levels, temperature, water chemistry, seasonal shifts in weather, and available space all play a very important part in maximum size realized. In the aquarium, fish don't usually get the varied diet they would in the wild, so some vital nutrients or vitamins and minerals and stuff might not be present in sufficient quantities to allow for maximum growth potential. Also, there are seasons in the wild, and those seasons can trigger times of growth and times of rest. Those natural cycles may be important for maximum growth potential. And lastly, genetics. When a fish is born, it is "programed" to grow to a certain size, just like every other type of higher order life form onthe planet. In the case of RTCs, I have seen plenty of documentation to prove that they can, and mostly likely will, break 5'. The fact that they do not do so in captivity is an excellent argument for not keeping them in tanks.
As a small aside, I left this website for allmost 6 months because of name calling and ignorance. Why can't we just have a polite discussion without resorting to childness?
taksan;4534279; said:
I find this hard to believe this is like wels catfish size. RTC just don;t get as big as them.
polish;4542035; said:
And yet almost all MFK member with this fish have them in something equivalent or less.
That's the problem. Most people here that have RTCs have NO business keeping them since they can't provide a big enough tank. And on a related note, I'm shocked at the number of "WTB Arapaima" threads I see here.Pyramid_Party;4542721;4542721 said:
If someone keeps a fish 20 years in a tank too small (300-400 gallons), then the fish must be healthy. According to you guys this is too small. I think you derailed the thread. You guys started pulling sizes out of your azz. The guy only asked what is typical, not world records. I could pull numbers out of my azz too about your fish and say they need double the tank they are in. Just cause the world record of a fish is 5 feet does not mean EVERY fish reaches that size. You guys are funny.
