Stunted growth: how do I help my fish grow?

[Zach9644]

I have had a fish tank for about a year now and have went thru too many fish. Ive notice that they hardly ever grow much from when I buy them. I know some of the causes of death are because of poor conditions at the pet store. Actually alot of them mostly likely were because of that because some would die within 3 weeks to a month.
At the moment I have
-1 blue male crowntail betta (he's my first fish and I've had him for over a year and I rescued him from Walmart)
- 3 corydora catfish (two different species)
-4 tetras (I think they are called black tetras, but I can't remember at the moment)
-1 common pleco (3 inches) (I know these things get huge, but the fish store I bought it from said once it started getting too large I could bring it back and they'd give me another smaller one)

Their in a 10 gallon tank with
-10-15 gallon filter
-heater
-Hood with lights
-thermometer
-2 live plants
-1 artificial plant
- 2 hiding places
- a cleaned shell
- 2 crystal rocks
- sand substrate

The corydoras(heraldschultzi) are my main concern at the moment, because I've read up on them a lot and they are suppose to grow to 3 inches. And they are only about an inch long.
My question is what is stunting their growth and how do I help them grow?

P.S. I'm planning on getting a larger tank. 20 to 30 gallons.

Thanks

 

[excuzzzeme]

Tank is too small and so is filter.

 

[Rbishop]

You need toidentify the tetras...

You need to post exact current readings from a good liquid test kit...

Send the pleco back now...

 

[knifegill]

Do you change your water once a week or twice a week? Increasing the amount of water changes is typically a surefire way to improve fish health and promote growth. Do your cories get plenty of worms and small invertebrates? That should also help.

Yes, the pleco is producing more ammonia in a day than the rest of those fish make in three. Get an otto or two instead. Technically, they are plecos.

 

[dbosman]

I have had a fish tank for about a year now and have went thru too many fish. Ive notice that they hardly ever grow much from when I buy them. I know some of the causes of death are because of poor conditions at the pet store. Actually alot of them mostly likely were because of that because some would die within 3 weeks to a month.

I'm going to say a number of things that may irritate you. I'm not picking on you in particular. I don't know you. I do know the conditions you list though and hope to discourage others from repeating some of the errors you've made. Some of which probably came from advice the store that sold you fish, gave you.

The majority of the early fish deaths is user error. Not store conditions. One user error is purchasing fish from a store that keeps their tanks in poor condition. There are other sources. No one "has" to shop there. Finding, joining, and participating in a local or not so local fish club is one of the best things a fish keeper can do. Lots of expert advice and lots of sources you didn't even know about. (lots of free and inexpensive fish too as you usually run into breeders with too many young fish.)

Lack of clean water is the most likely cause of fish deaths. Adding fish to an existing tank is courting trouble. It's always a gamble. Will the new fish have something the old one's don't or will the new fish not adapt to the conditions of your tank. A quarantine tank helps a LOT. Extra or excess filtration can help. As long as the fish aren't always swimming against the current, extra water flow is usually good.

At the moment I have
-1 blue male crowntail betta (he's my first fish and I've had him for over a year and I rescued him from Walmart)

A pet peeve of mine - and not your fault for saying it - is no one rescues fish from Walmart. If you purchase fish from a place you are supporting their efforts. If you dislike the policies or the care, stop facilitating it.

- 3 corydora catfish (two different species)

That is a lot of full grown fish for a relatively inexperienced keeper.
There are pygmy corys that would do better.

-4 tetras (I think they are called black tetras, but I can't remember at the moment)

Black neon tetras or black skirted tetras?
Ginormous difference in size, attitude, and bioload. Skirted tetras, despite their finnage are fin nippers and agressive. Black neon tetras are great community fish.

-1 common pleco (3 inches) (I know these things get huge, but the fish store I bought it from said once it started getting too large I could bring it back and they'd give me another smaller one)

Odds are they lied, by the way. Common plecos require wood to gnaw on. They rasp the surface for micro organisms. They are omnivores not algae eaters. They eat algae to get the micro organisms. They get big. They poop a Lot. <-- large bio load.

Their in a 10 gallon tank with
-10-15 gallon filter
-heater
-Hood with lights
-thermometer
-2 live plants
-1 artificial plant
- 2 hiding places
- a cleaned shell
- 2 crystal rocks
- sand substrate

Fine, but...
That filter is a bit small for the bioload you have. All filter manufacturers, other than Eheim, rate their filters using pure clean water with nothing in the filter. Not even the filter cartridge.
Depth of sand may or may not be an issue. It may or may not be sand, depending on the grit size. Play sand is fine, but collects a lot of detritus. Water changes, with sand stirring, can remove the gunk.

The corydoras(heraldschultzi) are my main concern at the moment, because I've read up on them a lot and they are suppose to grow to 3 inches. And they are only about an inch long.
My question is what is stunting their growth and how do I help them grow?

They will probably never exceed 2" in what is effectively a crowded tank. They grow to 3" in my 75g tank. They spash a lot of water to the floor around my tank too. Increase the water flow by increasing the filtration and do regular water changes and they may live to their potential.

P.S. I'm planning on getting a larger tank. 20 to 30 gallons.
Thanks

Fish keepers only regret the "next tank" the day they pay for it and the day it becomes obsolete to their needs. One small secret that new people often don't get told. Larger tanks are easier to keep fish in and keep up with properly. More work for specific issues, but the water volume makes life easier for all.
In the 20g - 30g range, wider and shorter is far better than narrow and tall.

Good luck.