growth rates in different climates

[anthonylam]

hi all,
i'm doing a research on growth rates of fish and turtles.
i've found out from a few sources that fish and turtles normally grow faster in warmer, tropical countries when compared with colder countries...
i've found out that alligator snappers grow less than 2 inches a year in USA but have known from personal experience that alligator snappers here in malaysia grow 4 inches per year. also, my own red-ear sliders grow from hatchlings to 10 inches in 1 year. my oscar fish grows from 3 inches to 10 inches in less than 18 months. all these pets i've not overfed them, in fact feed them just enough to survive the week sometimes. i'd like to find out from all of u about your aquatic pets' growth rates...

please give me the following info about your fish and even turtles...

please tell me:

1. what fish and turtles(if u have) u are having or have had personal experience with. and for each animal, tell me

2. it's living conditions(e.g. tank size, temperature of water, temperature of air, lighting, water condition, etc.) and

3. feeding habit(how often, how much, what does it eat) and

4. growth rate(how many cm/inches per year or per month).

5. any other additional information that i might have missed out here that u think could be of use to my research.

thank you.

 

[Roland]

hello there. Sounds like an interesting project you have going!

What I've found myself on growth rates is -

1) the protein content of the feed for growing fish must be specific for the species - ie the protein content should only just suceed anabolism (growth), with enough for energy and locomotion (catabolism) left over. Any unused food in either of these two fields will be excreeted by the fish in the form of NH3 and NH4.

2) you need to find the specific temperature growth rate of the particular species. I have read in various journals, and had experience with betta splendens growing best in 27 degree temperatures. At higher temperatures the growth was initially very good, but slowed down after about 8 weeks ( also the bettas were very weak). Lower temps obviously retard growth, but at the same time, the fish are normally extremly resiliant.

3) Water quality - If optimum growth rates are desired, then the fish must be housed in water of the correct parameters.

I'm sure you know most of this already, but hopefully this is of some help.

I notice you are from malyasia? I studied Thai fish as part of my university course, but only got down as far as Penang when I was there!