Fish Growth - we can't work it out.

Simoriax · 04-10-2005, 03:45 PM

Me and a mate of mine down the road are rather confused as to whats going on. We have the same size fish tank, we use the same foods, same water and a lot of the same fish. Most of his are twice the size of mine. Even the fish of the same age. It has had us baffled for ages. 90% of my fish hardly grow at all, any ideas?

shev · 04-10-2005, 03:51 PM

water changes and more food?

Simoriax · 04-10-2005, 03:54 PM

Once a week and same feeding steal

Thunderkiss · 04-10-2005, 04:51 PM

Water parameters and water change schedule?

shev · 04-10-2005, 05:33 PM

he's using illegal steroids on his fish?

Simoriax · 04-10-2005, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by shev @ Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:33 pm

he's using illegal steroids on his fish?

lol, i doubt it.

My nitrate and amonia readings are both 0. I have more than enough surface activity and all the fish are happy with no sickness issues.

Thunderkiss · 04-10-2005, 06:42 PM

What are his readings?

fish_doc · 04-10-2005, 08:31 PM

What are the male/female numbers? If your tank has more males that could explain it. Some breeds the females grow larger and if you have more than one male in a tank they are known to release a hormone to stunt growth so the one releasing the hormone can become the largest and most dominant male to appeal to the females.

Damon · 04-11-2005, 09:10 AM

Could be genetic. We humans come in different sizes also.

**Fishfirst** · 04-11-2005, 10:37 AM

I would doubt that your problem is genetic, because you have more than one fish in a tank genetic variation would give you a chance of having a longer/larger than normal fish as well as a smaller than normal fish... my guess is growth inhibiting hormones

Thunderkiss · 04-11-2005, 12:55 PM

The other thing to consider is some fish grow at different rates, and also some exude growth inhibiting pheromones for fish of the same species. The only species i know to do this for sure are discus, but is worth researching.

Cichlid Man · 04-11-2005, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Simoriax @ Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:45 pm

Me and a mate of mine down the road are rather confused as to whats going on. We have the same size fish tank, we use the same foods, same water and a lot of the same fish. Most of his are twice the size of mine. Even the fish of the same age. It has had us baffled for ages. 90% of my fish hardly grow at all, any ideas?

Alright mate, I noticed your from England too. The obvious thing to do would be to feed plenty of protein enriched foods, plenty of water changes, and give them plenty of light.

shev · 04-11-2005, 04:32 PM

I would doubt that your problem is genetic, because you have more than one fish in a tank genetic variation would give you a chance of having a longer/larger than normal fish as well as a smaller than normal fish

I'm a little confused about this statement, I could be missing something entirely.

DNA doesnt just start mixing with the other fish in the tank. not all fish are going to be exactly alike in every way, like color, or size.

Imbrium · 04-11-2005, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Thunderkiss @ Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:55 pm

The other thing to consider is some fish grow at different rates, and also some exude growth inhibiting pheromones for fish of the same species. The only species i know to do this for sure are discus, but is worth researching.

Bettas do this to. Drives me nuts when I'm trying to get my fry to grow.