my water is fine, unless theres something very unusual in there, i do weekly test of nitrate, nitrite, copper, hardness, alkalinaty, and i do PH and Ammonia tests eveyday, i dont know how i would have stunted him
black ghost knife.... taming
- Thread starter joander123
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if you put a person in a room that was 4 feet tall when they were 6 years old and left them in there until they were 23, they would be less than 4 feet tall. its called stunting because it stops growth, and prevents an animals or person from getting to their predicted height/size. the same goes for fish. it is caused by overstocking and/or a tank that is to small. it also has to do with the growth hormones that the fish releases into the water. to much of it and your fish wont grow as much. when a fish is stunted, its insides keep growing while its outsides stop.
if you dont think stunting poses a threat to a fish health, just read my story. a couple of months ago, i recieved an angelfish from my aunt. she said that she rescued it from her neighbor that was moving and was going to flush it before she moved. i asked what size of tank it was in, and my aunt said the lady had it in a 5 gallon tank for about 2 years! in that time, this fish shouldve grown to be at least 3.5 to 4 inches on a basic diet, but it was only about 1.5 inches long. there is no question it is stunted. how do i know? i have 6 other angels that range from 4-6 inches long. its a shame too because this angel has some of the best colors i have ever seen (i posted pick a few days ago). moral of the stroy-dont buy fish that get to big for your tank and if they do, get them a bigger tank. DONT STUNT YOUR FISH!
if you dont think stunting poses a threat to a fish health, just read my story. a couple of months ago, i recieved an angelfish from my aunt. she said that she rescued it from her neighbor that was moving and was going to flush it before she moved. i asked what size of tank it was in, and my aunt said the lady had it in a 5 gallon tank for about 2 years! in that time, this fish shouldve grown to be at least 3.5 to 4 inches on a basic diet, but it was only about 1.5 inches long. there is no question it is stunted. how do i know? i have 6 other angels that range from 4-6 inches long. its a shame too because this angel has some of the best colors i have ever seen (i posted pick a few days ago). moral of the stroy-dont buy fish that get to big for your tank and if they do, get them a bigger tank. DONT STUNT YOUR FISH!
:laugh: LOL :laugh: LOL :laugh: LOL :laugh: LOL :laugh: LOL :laugh:
Sorry... couldn't resist.
i know that a fish typically grows to its enviorment, but i mean its not like i have the knife in a 10 gallon tank, hes in a 55 gallon which to me doesnt seem like keeping a 6 year old in a 4 foot room by any means... but thats just my opinion im willing to take in any input here so keep posting 8)
a fish does not grow to its environment. if they did, then there would be neons a mile long in the amazon. again, when ia fish does not reach its true length because of a restricted container, it is called STUNTING
and since you TOLD us to keep posting, it crossed my mind that perhaps you posted this question because you wanted to start something with us because you know what people would say about this topic.
and since you TOLD us to keep posting, it crossed my mind that perhaps you posted this question because you wanted to start something with us because you know what people would say about this topic.
Yeah, I wasn't meaning to be rude, but I agree. It's not like he's keeping the knife in a betta bowl or something. Knives aren't extremely active swimmers like some larger fish species. Personally, I think some of you take the 'overstocking' and 'stunting' thing to an extreme.... I'm not saying that people should ignore the possibility of what harm they could be doing. But unless it is some sort of radical extreme (aka keeping a knife or an oscar in a 10-gallon tank for the rest of it's natural life), some of you could use a little lightening up. Or at least make suggestions instead of making demands. : /
first of all im not trying to start everything i asked for you guys to keep posting because i listen and respect everyones opinion. And thank you kyohti i think you make a valid point, i mean how many people honestly would put an 8 inch fish in a 200 gallon tank? Im no expert but its seems like over-doing it a bit to me.
I don't think he would have stunted at 8 inches....he would grow bigger than that before stunting, he still has a ton of room to spare. 20 Inches is just the MAX for these fish, not all of them will grow nearly as big, the same way all we humans won't grow to the size of Shaquille O-neal. His knife will probably max out at 10 or 12 inches.
I fully understand the grow out part and moving fish to larger quarters. I would never even think about starting 10 clown loaches in a 125 gallon tank. I'd progress them through various sizes.
But I would be prepared early enough to do that, way before the size dictated it. I think often though, folkd do not realize the adult size/characteristics before they have the fish and usually can't do an upgrade soon enough.
But I would be prepared early enough to do that, way before the size dictated it. I think often though, folkd do not realize the adult size/characteristics before they have the fish and usually can't do an upgrade soon enough.
so what size tank are we talking here? I mean it seems to me like he's very happy and i dont see why he would be "stunted" i could probably set him up with a bigger tank, but not like a 200 gallon like previously mentioned. The biggest i could go is probably the 104.5 gallon tank that i own (dont ask weird ammount of gallonage i know lol) would that be suitable? but there are complications with that as well because that is currently hosting some rather large SW fish
