Fish sizes

nsfishguy

New member
With all my research on different fish such as tangs and large angels you hear about what size tank they require for there max sizes. But how often do these fish actually get that big? Almost all of the info I have seen is they never seem to get to that size. Just like humans I guess, the tallest man was almost 9 ft, but the average is say about 5 1/2 ft. Any comments from anybody on this???
 
The water quality isn't as good in a fish tank as it is in nature. Many fish have their growth stunted. A lot of fish die before they get large.
 
Actually, fishbase often lists max and average size, especially for many of the more common species.
 
Any comments from anybody on this???


there's all sorts of generalizations regarding things in this hobby.
like how many inches of fish per gallon and crazy stuff like that. there are many variables that can be involved.

some of the larger fish grown in captivity will rarely max out i think. but some of the smaller fish like a bangaii could easily get 3" within a few years time depending on food intake as they dont move all that much..at least mine doesnt.
 
IMO, you don't see max sizes because most fish die before maturity in home aquaria. If you check out some of the "oldest fish" threads on this site, you will see fish reaching max size because they have lived long enough to do so. If you are looking for an excuse to get a fish that will outgrow your tank, just make sure you have a place to go lined up for it when it gets too big (LFS usually will take fish on trade).
 
Max size is in ideal environments with proper diet and care... Most people can't provide this long term
 
IMO, you don't see max sizes because most fish die before maturity in home aquaria.

I really don't think it's as simple as that. The angelfish at the Nancy Aquarium is 41 years old, in a 1600g tank, and is 30cm (max size listed on FB is 46 cm).
 
I have a 265 gal 7 ft long tank, so it is pretty big and my plan was to house any fish I get long term. I just see so many different opinions about can't put this in, too big, to small etc. I want the fish to be as healthy and have as much space as possible but I also don't want to put two large fish in there and that's it just because of size. I have to agree with you below that you can't really generalize because of so many size variations, just like people. I am sure not all fish go to max size even in the wild.

Thanks eveyone for you help by the way.

I really don't think it's as simple as that. The angelfish at the Nancy Aquarium is 41 years old, in a 1600g tank, and is 30cm (max size listed on FB is 46 cm).
 
I am not looking for an excuse I just looking for info. If everybody is that worried about what is best for the fish then aquariums should be banned and if you want to see these animals then you should travel to there natural habitat and go diving!

IMO, you don't see max sizes because most fish die before maturity in home aquaria. If you check out some of the "oldest fish" threads on this site, you will see fish reaching max size because they have lived long enough to do so. If you are looking for an excuse to get a fish that will outgrow your tank, just make sure you have a place to go lined up for it when it gets too big (LFS usually will take fish on trade).
 
I am not looking for an excuse I just looking for info. If everybody is that worried about what is best for the fish then aquariums should be banned and if you want to see these animals then you should travel to there natural habitat and go diving!

Your belief that there is no middle ground is idiotic. That's like seeing someone who is torturing a cow with a blowtorch, saying something to him, and then that person accusing you of hypocrisy because you're not a vegetarian.
 
Let's just take a deep breath and relax. Referring to peoples' posts as idiotic is not a great way to go about things.

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IMO, you don't see max sizes because most fish die before maturity in home aquaria. If you check out some of the "oldest fish" threads on this site, you will see fish reaching max size because they have lived long enough to do so.

So far, I agree.

If you are looking for an excuse to get a fish that will outgrow your tank, just make sure you have a place to go lined up for it when it gets too big (LFS usually will take fish on trade).

I disagree with this part. LFS cannot easily sell large fish so they will be reluctant to take them even for free.
 
If you are looking for an excuse to get a fish that will outgrow your tank, just make sure you have a place to go lined up for it when it gets too big (LFS usually will take fish on trade).

I disagree with this part. LFS cannot easily sell large fish so they will be reluctant to take them even for free.

Yes and no. I guess it depends where you live. I spoke with Ted about this previously. Apparently where he lives he can trade in large triggers, angels, whatever without issue. Here in San Diego, you can't give large fish away :(
 
Space is a huge component. Think goldfish. They get relatively large & require big tanks. Most that you see in tanks are in overcrowd, too small tanks. They never get to reach their full potential.
 
Longevity goes beyond tank and fish size. A prolonged power outage, equipment failure and bad water quality due to poor maintenance can all kill fish even in the largest of the tanks.
 
I think it's food too - if a fish in the wild can eat constantly then you'll struggle to match that on two small feeds a day.

In contrast tank raised cichlids like Apistogramma can be much larger than their food deprived counterparts in the wild.
 
I think it's food too - if a fish in the wild can eat constantly then you'll struggle to match that on two small feeds a day.

In contrast tank raised cichlids like Apistogramma can be much larger than their food deprived counterparts in the wild.

I definitely agree. I am guessing that most aquarists feed once a day (?) and some even less frequently. As Wayne says, in the wild fish eat constantly so that would be a significant difference.
 
I definitely agree. I am guessing that most aquarists feed once a day (?) and some even less frequently. As Wayne says, in the wild fish eat constantly so that would be a significant difference.

I agree with this also. Everyone that sees my fish are like "wow your fish are huge" and I tell them I feed variety and often. I feed 8 different varieties of food all soaked in selcon and vitachem 5-8 times a day, and that is in the 8 hrs I have my lights on.
 
I agree with this also. Everyone that sees my fish are like "wow your fish are huge" and I tell them I feed variety and often. I feed 8 different varieties of food all soaked in selcon and vitachem 5-8 times a day, and that is in the 8 hrs I have my lights on.

Are you retired? :)
 
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