Size: Wild vs. Captive

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benzjamin13

benzjamin13

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Sep 12, 2005
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I've been curious as to what people think when it comes to growing out a monster fish to it's full potential. We've all probably read a book where it says, "__in. but usually half the size in captivity."

Do you believe that a monster fish can attain it's full size in captivity?

I believe that no matter how hard someone tries, a monster fish will never attain it's full potential because a home aquarium will never match a river or lake. Diet is a factor whereas we may feed it more, but we can not duplicate what mother nature feeds it. And I believe that water changes (no matter the amount) will stress the fish and stunt it's growth to a certain degree. Rivers and lakes never go through water changes or has chemicals and chemical detoxifiers added into the water.

Example: I have yet to see a full grown Silver Arowana in captivity.

I made this tread before and it was getting interesting, but I guess it got lost during the move:(

Again...Mods...feel free to close it down if it gets too heated.
 
i think only way a fish will get full size is that a tank is giant and u feed it a regular diet. oh and u keep it full life
 
It used to be an accepted fact that captive fish grow to smaller sizes than wild fish. That was before the recognition of nitrite poisoning and its effects on fish immune systems and growth potential. Today's ever-advancing science of fishkeeping coupled with the internet for the rapid exchanging of improved methods of fish husbandry and improved diets are beginning to show that, if properly maintained, fish can and do reach wild sizes in captivity. And, I've seen many instances of captive fish out-sizing wild stocks. Just pick up any asian monster fish book/mag and you'll see what I'm talking about.
 
i had a 2 ton white shark in a 75 ... so no i dont belive
 
Oddball;505764; said:
It used to be an accepted fact that captive fish grow to smaller sizes than wild fish. That was before the recognition of nitrite poisoning and its effects on fish immune systems and growth potential. Today's ever-advancing science of fishkeeping coupled with the internet for the rapid exchanging of improved methods of fish husbandry and improved diets are beginning to show that, if properly maintained, fish can and do reach wild sizes in captivity. And, I've seen many instances of captive fish out-sizing wild stocks. Just pick up any asian monster fish book/mag and you'll see what I'm talking about.
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well said :headbang2

thou the average or even "expert" fish keeper cannot get these results IMO only public aquariums can reach this goal.
 
rayman45;505844; said:
i had a 2 ton white shark in a 75 ... so no i dont belive
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Why the psychobabble troll comment? The only reason anyone would post such meaningless garbage is to provoke, not learn from.
 
Oddball;505886; said:
Why the psychobabble troll comment? The only reason anyone would post such meaningless garbage is to provoke, not learn from.
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:ROFL:

BAN HIM!
 
Another reason why I don't think it's possible, is because the average of the largest tank that I hear people owning is a 300g. It seems to house a large fish fine, but again...it's no river or lake.
 
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