Fish not growing

Beth_obrien2424

Fish Fanatic
Joined
Jul 12, 2020
Messages
71
Reaction score
22
Location
United Kingdom
This is just a question out of curiosity really. Nearly two years ago, I bought 3 female swordtails. Two of those swordtails have grown to the size of an adult molly, however one of them is still the size of a guppy (the size I bought them)
I read that she might have been stunted but I’m not sure how. she is healthy and happy and so I’m not worried about her, I just wanted to know why. Is it possible that she is a dwarf fish? Or has something happened that stunted her growth
 
Stunting doesn't seem likely if she's been raised in the same environment as the others. Can you post a photo please?
 
Stunting doesn't seem likely if she's been raised in the same environment as the others. Can you post a photo please?
It’s super hard to get a picture of them, especially together. This is the best I can get
 

Attachments

  • 2CF75908-4538-4621-BF23-C7C04FB63BD3.jpeg
    2CF75908-4538-4621-BF23-C7C04FB63BD3.jpeg
    204.8 KB · Views: 61
Pic of the small one alone please, looks like a platy in this picture to me too.
Are these pictures okay? She’s a quick one
 

Attachments

  • E220B5B5-8951-4C56-95AF-CFDEF3D42EC2.jpeg
    E220B5B5-8951-4C56-95AF-CFDEF3D42EC2.jpeg
    118.2 KB · Views: 67
  • 50623DC2-271B-4C62-9ECB-4A0F2CCD8724.jpeg
    50623DC2-271B-4C62-9ECB-4A0F2CCD8724.jpeg
    104.6 KB · Views: 67
She's a swordtail and not a platy to start with. Not all specimens will grow to a normal sized one. There are mutliple reasons why a fish is stunted. Even if she grew up in the same group. Not all specimens have the same grow potential. In general, nothing to worry about. She looks really okay to me. With Xiphophorus species (where swordtails and platies belong to), the bodysize of each individual (no matter if they're from the same batch) may differ once they're adults. If a Xiphophorus specimen developes sexually too fast, the fish will stop growing earlier which results in a smaller bodysize. This can happen with both genders.
 
She's a swordtail and not a platy to start with. Not all specimens will grow to a normal sized one. There are mutliple reasons why a fish is stunted. Even if she grew up in the same group. Not all specimens have the same grow potential. In general, nothing to worry about. She looks really okay to me. With Xiphophorus species (where swordtails and platies belong to), the bodysize of each individual (no matter if they're from the same batch) may differ once they're adults. If a Xiphophorus specimen developes sexually too fast, the fish will stop growing earlier which results in a smaller bodysize. This can happen with both genders.
Thank you! Very helpful. And interesting
 

Most reactions

Back
Top