Stunting - Your Thoughts

[Robbo25]

We all here the term "stunting" used hundreds of times when it comes to the housing of fish.

Does it really make all that difference or is it a word people just like to use that little bit too often so they sound "a more experienced keeper"

What proof has they actually been, you can see? that it is in fact a huge factor to consider.

Im not really talking about tank busters but more the small fish that would grow to a fairly large size.

Like goldfish for example, most people have had them for years in a bowl no bigger than id eat my crunchy nut from.

When would stunting "kick in"? They must have to get to a certain size 1st?

I was just curious as to what people think of it and come on, do tell if youve ignored it.

As you can tell, I aint really looked into that much I just want to hear some opinions.

And no its not because im considering buying fish that will outgrow my tank.

 

[cuticom]

I've got a couple of rescued goldies that are stunted. Opal and Jade are 8 years old and barely 3 inches long, they were originally kept in a 5g tank with few if any water changes before being dumped in a 15g barrel pond with another comet. I also took the comet but she died soon after I got her from longterm deficiency's. The stunting generally seems to take a affect when not enough water changes are done, and the tank is far too small for the fish to grow correctly. Goldfish in particular give out a growth stopping hormone, which when kept in too small containers can easily stop their growth.

Jade and Opal have a 125g pond to live in, and have been in it for 6 months but they haven't grown at all.

 

[kribensis12]

Stunting is when the fish dosent haveroom for the fish to grow properly. You caqn see it when the eyes are to big for the body, and sometimes there can be serious defects.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Stunting is very true. It happens on a large scale to discus and angelfish babies who gain rather disgusting and debilitating deformities when in crowded conditions.