how big do your fish really get?

[fixed]

I read all about triggers getting to 13", 20", etc., angels to 12", but how big do your fish get? I have rarely seen fish in aquariums anywhere approaching these maximum sizes I read about. What are the bigger ones out there? Thanks.

 

[jon321]

Ive seen them that big in store from time to time, but Ive never had a small one growup that large in a tank and Ive had some fish for 3-5 years. Triggers, puffers, lions, etc have all maxed out at around 8" or so. But still, even at 8" thats one freakin big fish!
Jon

 

[unleashed]

well I have had so far good growth rate on most of my fish i had a ss puffer for 3 1/2 yrs he was 4-5 inches when i baught him he passed away last val day at the length of 13 inches.my oldest fish i have had for over 4 yrs my silver scat(brackish in sw) known to grow in captivity 3-4 inches mine is now 9 inches and still going, in the wild they grow 14 in i have 2 vol lions 1 is 12 now the smallest of the 2 is just under a yr old he was less than 2 inches at time purchased hes now 8 inches and still growing .I also have a panther grouper now almost 12 inches the key to growth rate is feeding lfs feed minimal amounts to keep the fish from growing to fast (i know becaused i asked mine) I feed all my fish 2 -3 times per day depending one species requirements.

 

[27mtaylor]

I have always heard people say that a fish will only grow in proportion to their environment's size (tank size). Is there any truth to that?

 

[damselsrck]

Fish may not grow to their max. size in a small tank, not becuase of ajusting(sp) to their enviorments, but becuase their growth has been stunted.

 

[aw2]

Fish, only growing to the size of the tank they're in is completely, 100% false.
I've been fortunate enough to have a 15" Volitan (they max at 15", in the wild) and I also have a 30" female Hawaiian Dragon (they max at 30", in the wild).

 

[crimzy]

Fish do not grow to their full potential in tanks because they almost always die before they attain full size. Inasmuch as we like to think when we buy them that they will live their full lifespans, I have never seen, nor heard of any fish living for more than 10 years in a home aquarium. This applies to both experienced aquariusts and newbies alike. Although the timeframe is probably longer with more experience. Public aquariums can be much better.

 

[oceana]

we have an approx 11"+ sailfin tank that is over 10 years old. thats my biggest.
MY reefing buddy has a HUGE blue throat trigger. i'm not sure how big but its an easy 10"

 

[mr_bill]

One fish I was very interested in and almost bought was the twin spot wrasse. Very pretty and always seen very small in the LFS's tank. The largest recorded is 47.2" and an average of 21.7". Glad I didn't buy one of those little cute guys. :thinking: