Is This Just A Myth.....?

[fry_forever!]

I've heard quite a few people say that livebearer fry let out this pheromone that will make smaller & weaker fry die or do bad...? Is this true?
And they say that if you clean the tank enough, the pheromones won't build up....? I'm not buying this?

Also, I've heard that adult livebearers let off a pheromone as well that will stunt a baby fish's growth. Is THIS true?

I don't know what to believe anymore!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Chantal94]

I have never heard this one before. Your not the only one thats not believing it, i dont either.

though for all we know it might be true so we will have to get other people to say their answers

 

[helterskelter]

I think your thinking of ammonia which all fish produce, this will stunt fish but more likely to kill them if you dont bother with water changes.

 

[fry_forever!]

No, not ammonia. Many people have talked about this. I'll try to find the topic.... Hold on a few minutes.....

 

[helterskelter]

their are some hormones that are released but you would have to do no water changed for several months before they have any effect's.

 

[fish48]

Livebearers do let out pheromones There are many reasons for this /
The fish will let out pheromones when To many fish are kept in a tank
And There growth rate can slow down and it can reduce them from breeding
It is not a problem if you keep up with regular water changes,

 

[fry_forever!]

Livebearers do let out pheromones There are many reasons for this /
The fish will let out pheromones when To many fish are kept in a tank
And There growth rate can slow down and it can reduce them from breeding
It is not a problem if you keep up with regular water changes,

See, that's what I mean. It conflicting!

 

[hodgeheg]

I've read that somewhere too - quite confusing!

Of my 3 balloon/saffron molly fry there is one that's really huge, then a medium one and a tiny one (about half the size of the biggest) but I didn't know if that was just the luck of the draw or the pheromones thing

I suppose if you do regular water changes then myth or not it won't be a problem.

 

[fry_forever!]

That's what I was thinking, thanks. I try to do bi-weekly water changes, but I've been so busy lately!
I still want to know if this a myth though.... It's really bothering me!

 

[fish48]

It’s true and there is nothing to worry about That’s one of the reasons why we do water changes to help remove pheromones liquid fish waste. )

 

[fry_forever!]

That doesn't add up though... liquid fish waste? Why would they let out pheromones in their urine?

 

[hughessomefish]

this fourm has made me more confused about this topic lol

 

[OldMan47]

Fish48 is stating a simple well known effect of water changes with livebearers. If you do lots of regular water changes, the fry grow faster. The exact reason is not as well documented as the fact that it works. One of the speculations that I have seen is that the fish are releasing some kind of chemical growth inhibitor into the water that you remove with the water change. People attribute the effect to hormones or pheromones or any number of things but, from a practical point of view, if you do lots of regular water changes the fry grow faster. I will leave the science to the scientists but the empirical data says there is an effect.

 

[helterskelter]

Fish48 is stating a simple well known effect of water changes with livebearers. If you do lots of regular water changes, the fry grow faster. The exact reason is not as well documented as the fact that it works. One of the speculations that I have seen is that the fish are releasing some kind of chemical growth inhibitor into the water that you remove with the water change. People attribute the effect to hormones or pheromones or any number of things but, from a practical point of view, if you do lots of regular water changes the fry grow faster. I will leave the science to the scientists but the empirical data says there is an effect.

Ditto could not put it much better

 

[fry_forever!]

Okay, thanks. I will keep doing as many water changes as possible then.