What is stunting?

[fishbum]

the idea that a 3 inch fish has organs that continue growing as if it was an 8" fish for example is nonsense.

I guess I was under the impression that the fish would die because the organs were still growing.And they would die before the organs got to be those of a 8" fish's,in a 3" fish's body.

I have also heard the cleaner the water,the bigger the fish will get,even if the tank is too small.

So if a fish does not grow to it's full size becuase of either poor water,or small tank,it is then considered stunted? Will it still live,and be "healthy"?

 

[12 Volt Man]

So if a fish does not grow to it's full size becuase of either poor water,or small tank,it is then considered stunted? Will it still live,and be "healthy"?

well, a great example is the last batch of clown loaches I had.

I had them for 12 years. they didn't die, I sold them when I moved.

now, in that time, probably because of competition for food, they only reached about 3.5" long.

they are supposed to be 12" by that time.

they were always active, aggressive at eating, and apparently happy.

but the myth says they should have been sick, stunted and dying long long before then...

fact is, in many cases, fish can lead long and healthy lives without reaching full growth potential.

 

[fishbum]

^That's interesting.^

 

[scriving]

so good water conditions play a big role

 

[fishbum]

so good water conditions play a big role

a big role in not stunting?

If this is true,it kind of blows the whole "fish don't grow to the size of the tank" out of the water. Doesn't it?

 

[scriving]

good point ill wait for some experts to chime in

 

[zspidel]

hey, i know i posted a bunch of crap, but the following is a serious scenerio about water changes. a friend of mine is sort of going thru the same process (which he is a member on this site but i dont think he visits frequently) and this is a little extreme, but here is his situation. he has a wolf fish, and im not sure of the species, but its about 13" long in 40 or so gallon aquarium. for whatever reason, i think it was just him testing out the whole stunting theory, he took filters off the tank and has been doing 50%water changes daily and his fish actually went thru a growth spurt. so now, this fish is longer than the tank is wide with no filters and is growing and eating good. now, i havent personally seen this, but he's not one to lie and he's very smart about fish keeping and has bigger tanks and filters for him. so his situation is sort of supporting the fact of the water changes playing a part in growth.

from my own previously gathered knowledge, i was told that the fish grows but the organs stop. also, the stunting occurs when hormones are released in the water to tell the fish to stop growing. so, to me, i was always under the conclusion that you could have a fish grow and be healthy in a tank that would normally considered too small by doing more water changes

 

[12 Volt Man]

I think a distinction needs to be made here.

there is a difference between putting some clown loaches in a 65g tank, feeding them daily, changing water weekly and otherwise giving them a good environment

vs.

putting a pacu in a 20g tank, power feeding it until it is 8" long in there, and expecting it to lead a long and happy life..

both fish are stunted.

but,

one set will live forever and be happy, active and colourful

the other fish will be smashed up, in bad condition, and probably deformed..

 

[zspidel]

I think a distinction needs to be made here.

there is a difference between putting some clown loaches in a 65g tank, feeding them daily, changing water weekly and otherwise giving them a good environment

vs.

putting a pacu in a 20g tank, power feeding it until it is 8" long in there, and expecting it to lead a long and happy life..

both fish are stunted.

but,

one set will live forever and be happy, active and colourful

the other fish will be smashed up, in bad condition, and probably deformed..

agreed, you still should follow basic guidelines but there is a slight gray area of the appropriate tank size. my personal opinion is that a fish too big looks dumb in a small aquarium.

 

[12 Volt Man]

i was always under the conclusion that you could have a fish grow and be healthy in a tank that would normally considered too small by doing more water changes

correct. look at my 18" lemon fins in my top 90g tank. they got giant because of clean water (huge water changes) and lots of food.

in only a 90g tank.

this sort of goes under the 'fish grow to the size of the tank myth' though.

if you feed fish enough and keep their water quality clean, they will usually keep growing.

where the myth gets started is that in a smaller tank it is harder to keep 'power feeding' and still maintain good water quality.

so the fish don't grow as big.

but it has nothing to do with the tank size.

its the amount of food and clean water they are getting that does it.

its easier/more likely to occur in a bigger tank than a smaller one.


hence the myth.