Realistically How Big do RTC's Get..

[jcardona1]

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.

Believe it or not, it's a form of stunting; the fish isn't kept in an adequate-sized tank so it doesn't grow to its full potential.

Perfect example, look at the monster cichla JohnPTC has in his 10,000g tank. All are well over 30", some of the temensis are even getting close to 36-40". Yet most guys will say they'll reach 18-20" max. Well that's because you're stuffing them in a tiny 240-300g. Compare the sizes of his cichla to those that have been kept for years in tanks less than 500g. The size difference is clearly noteable.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Believe it or not, it's a form of stunting; the fish isn't kept in an adequate-sized tank so it doesn't grow to its full potential.

Perfect example, look at the monster cichla JohnPTC has in his 10,000g tank. All are well over 30", some of the temensis are even getting close to 36-40". Yet most guys will say they'll reach 18-20" max. Well that's because you're stuffing them in a tiny 240-300g. Compare the sizes of his cichla to those that have been kept for years in tanks less than 500g. The size difference is clearly noteable.

Yeah I agree with all that. But I still think if the fish lives a long time like 20 years it has to be somewhat healthy. Its not going to each its full size but I would not considerate too bad of a stunting.

 

[kevinfleming21]

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.

Well even if the average is smaller than 5 feet, you are still in the 4 ft range for an average. A fish of this size would most definitely need a tank larger than 400 gallons. Weather or not the collection of data that is widely available is used when considering this fish for purchasing and keeping is a different story.

 

[kevinfleming21]

Yeah I agree with all that. But I still think if the fish lives a long time like 20 years it has to be somewhat healthy. Its not going to each its full size but I would not considerate too bad of a stunting.

Yes but 20 years of what potential in the wild? All expectations, size, weight, lifespan, are shortened due to stunting.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Yeah I know, I agree with you guys. Its just some poeple make it seem like every fish will reach that max size. Like if someone asks what size a red devil gets. You always get someone saying they have seen, or their friend owns one thats 20 inches. Whether that is true or not, it certainly does not mean every fish will reach that size. But maybe with proper care you can grow a fish a little bigger that typical sizes. I agree with that.

 

[kevinfleming21]

Yeah I know, I agree with you guys. Its just some poeple make it seem like every fish will reach that max size. Like if someone asks what size a red devil gets. You always get someone saying they have seen, or their friend owns one thats 20 inches. Whether that is true or not, it certainly does not mean every fish will reach that size. But maybe with proper care you can grow a fish a little bigger that typical sizes. I agree with that.

this is also true. You cannot give advice for care of a fish that the size is being exaggerated. It does happen quite often.

 

[jcardona1]

But maybe with proper care you can grow a fish a little bigger that typical sizes.

Isn't that what we should be doing regardless? Shouldn't be a "maybe" in my book To those that say a 400g is big enough for an adult RTC, would you also keep a dog all its life in a kennel where it could barely move? Or tied to a tree with a 3ft chain? Or maybe we shouldn't care right, because afterall, it's only a dog. Or maybe it's only ok for the RTC, because afterall, it's only a fish, right?

Too many people here keep fish for the wrong reasons. They just wanna show off how cool they are and/or how much money they have. I have no respect for fishkeepers like that.

And it doesn't take a hardcore hobbyist to know when a tank is too small for a certain fish. Guarantee you that the general public (provided they have the common sense) will tell you when a fish has outgrown its tank. A 3ft+ brick of a catfish in a 400g tank will be one of those times. Doesn't take an 'expert' to figure that one out.

 

[I<3fish]

I find this hard to believe this is like wels catfish size. RTC just don;t get as big as them.

Wels catfish are MUCH more slim than bulky RTCs, so they can reach these sizes.

And yet almost all MFK member with this fish have them in something equivalent or less.

So just because "Almost all" do this means it's acceptable?

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.

The fact is that if a fish has the POTENTIAL to grow that size, that should atleast be taken into account.

Yeah I agree with all that. But I still think if the fish lives a long time like 20 years it has to be somewhat healthy. Its not going to each its full size but I would not considerate too bad of a stunting.

20 years is a very small fraction of what that fish should live to.

The fact of the matter is that fish keep growing, and do not stop growing, sure they slow, but it never halts.

 

[taksan]

Its is NO Exaggeration to state that EVERY RTC if kept properly will reach over 4 feet in length !

 

[taksan]

Pics with measuring tape or it doesn't exist.

do a search you lazy %^&%$&$