Fish grow to fit their habitat?

Question

Is this true? If it is is it only for certain fish?

Answer 1

In general, keeping a fish in too small a tank will slow their growth. The waste from a fish in too small a tank usually makes it near-impossible to keep the water clean enough for it to have much of a lifespan.
A

Answer 2

That rule is complete bull and anyone who follows it should be put out to pasture. Most fish DIE PREMATURELY because people are stupid enough to believe that they will only grow to the size of their bowl.

Some fish stay small, some fish get huge. It's all in the genetic make up. Fish that stay small that have big genes... it's simply because they've been stunted and will die soon. They quickly become deformed and die of stress.

Fish that stay the size of their habitat(goldfish for example) die. End of story. Goldfish produce too much amonia and too much waste to be kept in bowls or even anything smaller than a 20+ gallon tank. The large fish that are often stunted by inexperienced and disgustingly ignorant people often have lifepspans of 10+ years!! And they die! And people think it's of old age! It is NOT. Do not believe that hype. "Fish grow to the size of their habitat" IS A LIE.

Answer 3

No, it is not true. Each species of fish will grow to it's adult potential if given the right food and clean water.

The reason fish stop growing is because all fish exude hormones in their waste. When the hormones build up in a tank due to the stupid owner not doing partial (25-30%) water changes regularly (weekly) the fish's metabolism slows because unconsciously it believes the area (tank) is overcrowded. This also causes them to stop breeding.

Clean water and good food will allow any fish to reach it's maximum potential. The larger the fish, the more food and more frequent water changes are necessary, however. In a small tank you may have to do daily water changes of 50% to keep the hormones low and the water quality good.

Answer 4

No fish have diffenernt growth rates, some stay small 1" and some can get to over 2'. A fish that is supposed to grow big will be severly stunted in a small tank, they can't physically grow any larger, but their inturnal ogans will continue to grow killing the fish. Thats way so many gold fish die after a couple months. Goldfish can grow to 1.5' and need a huge tank or pond to live in.

Answer 5

No, it's not true. The fish will grow at a slower, unhealthy rate so it might seem like they aren't growing at all. But you need to realize they aren't going to be healthy fish, they will have a shorter life expectancy. If you want a healthy fish get a tank that will fit their adult size.

Answer 6

Fish have a genetic size potential that they will grow to, given that they have enough room to do so. Included in that is how long they live since many fish never quit growing, they just grow really slowly after reaching adult size.

So if you have a fish with a large size potential like goldfish or clown loaches and you keep them in a small tank they will get to a size and then die a premature death rather than live out the 20-40 years they could and reach the larger size the might get to if they live that long.

The fish will only grow to the size of the tank because they will die befor growing bigger if they have the potential.

This is why it is cruel to keep long lived species in to small of quarters.

Answer 7

It's true, to an extent, for certain fish. Goldfish, for example, can grow bigger in aquariums, than in fishbowls. However, this does not mean that goldfish in the ocean can grow to the size of Asia. There is a limit.

Answer 8

for most fish they will grow to a certain size, but others like oscars, bug eyed goldfish etc etc will grow as big as thier tank will allow....i had two goldfish in a 10 gallon tank, they grew to a 1/2 lb each, the only thing is when they get that size you must keep a close eye on your filters, toxication will occur if your filter shuts down or plugs up for even 10 minutes...hope this helps

Answer 9

Yes, fish will grow to a size that is relative to the body of water that they live in. A fish will slow its natural growth when it is limited by a smaller body of water. However if you put an already large fish in an undersized tank it will not shrink.

Answer 10

Only for certain fish. Can you imagine a 2 lb guppy? lol