The "Fish Grow To The Size Of Their Tank" Myth.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
T

THD

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 30, 2010
71
0
0
New York City
Just had a conversation with a gentleman I sold an odd shaped tank to a few months back. The tank itself was about 6' tall, 13" wide and shaped to be placed in a corner (picture a triangle shape). When I asked him what he ended up putting in the tank he told me "Three Oscars". When I informed him that they will very quickly outgrow the tank he corrected me with the old adage stated in the thread title. I tried to inform him about the misinformation he was given and he literally held up both his hands to stop me from speaking and said "Nah, nah, they'll be ok".
Who is out there spreading this garbage information and why are people so quick to believe this? Honestly, how do people suppose this works?!
Magic?!
 
often times there is some truth to it, the fish usually end up dying or stunted before they outgrow the tank
 
I hear that every day at work...people will believe anything that allows them to have their way.
 
I was told at a lfs that an aripima would not out grow my 125g.. Obviously I don't by fish there anymore.
 
It's true to a certain extent. It's called stunting the fish. That's where the body doesn't grow any more but the fish's organs continue to grow inside him. This usually ends up in a grossly deformed fish who dies a slow agonizing horrible death. It's really sad people are so selfish they would do that to satisfy their desire to own a fish they don't have the space to house.
 
I had actually thought this meant if you threw a goldfish in pond the size of California it would turn into a monster eventually. I feel shocked that people would assume they could stop a fish from growing D:
 
The myth is self supporting. It is true. They will only grow to the size of their tank. The simple fact that the fish dies before it out grows the tank keeps the myth alive. While goldfish live 25-30 years, the average person considers it bragging rights if their goldfish lives to be 4 years old. (Less than 15% of the expected lifespan.)
 
kdrun76;4558363; said:
The myth is self supporting. It is true. They will only grow to the size of their tank. The simple fact that the fish dies before it out grows the tank keeps the myth alive. While goldfish live 25-30 years, the average person considers it bragging rights if their goldfish lives to be 4 years old. (Less than 15% of the expected lifespan.)
Click to expand...

That's a good add to the discussion, kdrun. I forgot to add that the fish dies much sooner than it should....when I said slow and agonizing, I meant it suffered a lot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom