fact or myth????

[cholland]

I just came back from a visit to a LFS. And I noticed that they had alot of large fish in small tanks. Now I know that they try to sell big sized fish, because they charge more for the larger size. But one of the employees told me that the myth of fish growing only as big as tank size, is a myth. That they will keep growing and usually grow in girth and grow taller, as in height. And stop growing in length.
Is this true????
:notsure:

 

[russianspy]

No, I'd put money on the fact they only grow to as much room as they have, I have a small royal gramma about 3 inches they can reach 5 inches in a good tank

 

[10greef]

:thinking: Actually the lfs was right a fish won't just simply stop growing just because it's in a small tank. If you think about it only makes sense! If it wasn't the truth people would be keeping triggers, and angels in 10g tanks. In saltwater fish the stress of being kept in cramped conditions usually leads to disease and if the problem isn't corrected usually death! All Royal Grammas don't reach 5 in!

 

[bang guy]

That is true for some freshwater fish. As far as I know all healthy saltwater continue to grow to their normal size regardless of the container size. They grow until they become unhealthy. Being unhealthy can sometimes stunt their growth but it's not the same thing.

 

[cholland]

Thanks for the info. I thought that was the case. I figured the only way to control growth is by feeding and even then it can lead to unhealthy fish.
By the way props to this LFS they had some impressive displays. They even had a lagoon with 3' long remora and some very large puffers.