Stunted Fahaka

[duggan]

My roommate had gotten a fahaka puffer at about 1-1.5" and now currently living in a 55 alone. It has been around 8 months or so and he is roughly around 5" or so. I was thinking that he could be stunted, possibly because of the size of the tank, then again he is in there by himself. Also i have heard that water parameters can play a role in stunting growth but with weekly water changes , while we do the 240 gallon, i feel that even in a 55 gallon he should have grown bigger. We are looking for a 150 gallon as of now but my question is, yes he could possibly be stunted but is if upgraded to a larger tank could this boost growth, for lack of better terminology? of will the growth stop or be slowed dramatically because of this?

Thanks for any information of experience. Happy fish keeping

 

[Fat Homer]

I've heard in the past that when a stunted or thought to be stunted fish is added into a bigger tank they do start to grow a bit... some significantly and some not so much...

Personally speaking, i think the 55G and possible lack of space to swim in could be part of the problem? consider i bought my fahaka at 1.5" and put her straight into a 200G tank, now after a year and a half or so, shes about 14" - 15" min...

 

[Sonny503]

grabbed one over the weekend, and was curious myself about growth and health.
I have him in a 110 separated for now. was not active the 1st couple of days, but now it's looking for food.
haven't had the time to go get shell fish or snail for it. Can't wait til it gets bigger.