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

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drgnfrc13;4558551; said:
Some fish actually do grow to the size of an aquarium, for example, my pacu is about the size of a 5.5 gallon tank (although I think a 5.5 gallon is a little shorter).
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I think in some cases it's just genetics, using one of my previous examples, the LMB. While in some cases they have the ability to get to over 30 inches, and upwards of ten pounds, the likelihood of one to actually get that size is very slim, if you have ever fished for them then you know that a more common size is around 18-23 inches and from 3-5 lbs for an adult. Some may get lucky and get a smaller fish that will only reach a portion of it's adult size while others may harmfully stunt the fish and end up doing more harm than good.

I think that is possibly why many still believe this horrible myth.
 
I had a guy tell this myth when he had a JD and a pleco for his 30gal his last JD lived for a "long life" of 3years :screwy: Most just think you're stupid or when they're like but when I moved them to a NEW bigger tank they grew...Of course because it is a NEW tank....
 
Bderick67;4558536; said:
Longer does not mean bigger.
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No, no, don't try to justify keeping your aro in his little bowl. That's NOT jdm. :grinno:


Push;4558547; said:
I actually used to believe this as well, but that was a time long ago when I was much greener in the hobby. I will say however I have come across a few strange cases.

Case #1: Friend has a RTCxTSN that he kept in a 125 grow out for about 7 months, he bought the fish when he was 3-4 inches, the rtcxtsn stayed in the 125 until it was about 12-13 inches and then was moved to his larger tank (I believe somewhere in the 400-500 gallon range) he has had it for somewhere in the ballpark of 5-6 years and after reaching 20-24 inches it simply has not grown, all the water parameters are in check, the other fish that he has kept over the years has grown and either been moved or still in the tank.

Case #2: Friend with an indoor pond has a few natives (SMB, GAR, LMB, Common Plec, and a Chain pickerel that I donated to him). However this case isn't really clear cut as it is a very large pond, all of the fish except for the LMB continue to grow, all of the fish are reaching adult size and the LMB has pretty much hovered around 19 inches for the past 2 years. Again all parameters in check and all of the fish have plenty of room but we have been quite stumped on why the one fish will not grow, especially considering that the fishery that he got it from stated it was the larger florida/tiger strain that is supposed to get quite a bit larger than the northern strain.
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Some things to consider. All humans don't get to 6'. All rotties don't hit 150 lbs. All LMB don't hit 2 feet. While they will be similar, having a smaller one doesn't mean you (he) are doing anything wrong. It might just be a smaller fish. Also, the only reason the southern bass get bigger is because they are in warmer year round. Up here, the bass' metabolism slows to a crawl in the winter. If it was captive bread or caught at a young age, and kept in tank conditions, it isn't going to grow bigger just because it came from florida parents.
 
Push;4558560; said:
I think in some cases it's just genetics, using one of my previous examples, the LMB. While in some cases they have the ability to get to over 30 inches, and upwards of ten pounds, the likelihood of one to actually get that size is very slim, if you have ever fished for them then you know that a more common size is around 18-23 inches and from 3-5 lbs for an adult. Some may get lucky and get a smaller fish that will only reach a portion of it's adult size while others may harmfully stunt the fish and end up doing more harm than good.

I think that is possibly why many still believe this horrible myth.
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Lol, I think you missed my point. :grinno:

I was just pointing out that "fish grow to the size of the tank" sounds like one is suggesting that a fish will reach the exact size of their tank (like a guppy would get to 48" if it was kept in a 55 gallon). So then, I put a humorous twist on it by saying that my pacu is about the size of a 5.5 gallon aquarium.

Anyway, I do agree that in some species it is rare for a specimen to reach its full potential, just due to genetics, but I don't see how that lends any credibility to the "fish grow to the size of the tank" myth.
 
Ive dont know how many times ive been told this, when I tell people that I work with that i have 1 fish in a 110g tank cause of how big it can grow. Then I have to go into a long convo about chemicals and hormones, most the time they dont understand a thing im telling them
 
hubada hubada WOW that dat.. there lucky the tank hasnt broke from the dat yet.. and the other fish... same goes for that tank..

anyways pure example and truth. my aunt had a 55, had an oscar a few jd few cons and some africans. never did water change and the oscar only grew to be about 10 inches.. if not less more towards 8 or 9 icnhes.
 
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