joeysgreen Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Hello everyone, I'm not a superbly active member of this forum and hope this isn't a regularly stirred topic but I have a question regarding my son's goldfish. I know that not every species has growth limited by the size of the enclosure but IME goldfish or feeder comets definately are. My son recently got an already established aquarium setup (20gallon I think) with 11 goldfish in it. I am curious to see the current view on the ethics of keeping a fish small to suite an enclosure. Do many fish species suscribe to this trait? Are the fish harmed, suffer, or have reduced lifespans because of such? Do they breed at this miniscule size? Breeding isn't an endeaver by any means, but my curiousity around all facets of this issue is growing. Thanks kindly for your words of wisdom Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qattarra Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 the fish will grow. Their DNA dictates not the tank size. They will get weak /sick being in an over crowded tank .They grow deformed . Good luck with them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fergy Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 I had a feeder goldfish grow to over 8 inches, including tail, in a 25 gallon. He's since been moved to my girlfriends fathers pond, but the tank size definitely didn't limit his growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shai Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 (edited) When fish are kept in tanks that are too small for them they become stunted. Stunted fish, as mentioned, become deformed (including internally), and I've seen it claimed that these fish also release "excess" (unusable) growth hormones into the tank water which can be harmful to tankmates. All organisms are susceptible to stunting. Google stunted fish and you will get lots of results (including scientific studies) showing why it's a bad idea. Edited August 15, 2009 by Shai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Time for a little anthropomorphization here: Could you live in one room with 11 people? Would you be harmed, suffer, or have reduced lifespans because of such? Would you breed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingin' It Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Time for a little anthropomorphization here: Could you live in one room with 11 people? Would you be harmed, suffer, or have reduced lifespans because of such? Would you breed? Scarey thought! Nice Point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moutain Dew Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Time for a little anthropomorphization here: Could you live in one room with 11 people? Would you be harmed, suffer, or have reduced lifespans because of such? Would you breed? Does not stop african cichlids... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parachromis1 Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Time for a little anthropomorphization here: Could you live in one room with 11 people? Would you be harmed, suffer, or have reduced lifespans because of such? Would you breed? Does not stop african cichlids... Can you really compare a Kia and a Mercedes? No. African's also live in colonies on rocks out in the lake, goldfish don't lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williewonka Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Time for a little anthropomorphization here: Could you live in one room with 11 people? Would you be harmed, suffer, or have reduced lifespans because of such? Would you breed? Does not stop african cichlids... Wouldn't stop people either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeysgreen Posted August 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Thanks guys, I got what I need and will reassess my son's enclosure. Ian Time for a little anthropomorphization here: Could you live in one room with 11 people? Would you be harmed, suffer, or have reduced lifespans because of such? Would you breed? Does not stop african cichlids... Wouldn't stop people either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Thanks guys, I got what I need and will reassess my son's enclosure. Your son's enclosure? Got him locked up in a small room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moutain Dew Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Thanks guys, I got what I need and will reassess my son's enclosure. Your son's enclosure? Got him locked up in a small room. Thats funny.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscusKeeper403 Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 As mentioned, fish become stunted, a lot of times they cannot produce a slime coat well (their immune system) thus are more susceptible to disease. There lifespan is drastically lowered by this. Mine as well invest in a bigger tank or pond and you'll save money keeping these guys for years and years rather then a few months and replacing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishkabod Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Thanks for bringing this topic up. I now have some ammo to use against my parents and my dads outdated belief that my Africans will always be okay in the 30 gallon tank they are in(i have an 80 gallon i'm working hard to get fixed to move them over) Now to convince them about my Koi too. Thanks Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parachromis1 Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Thanks for bringing this topic up. I now have some ammo to use against my parents and my dads outdated belief that my Africans will always be okay in the 30 gallon tank they are in(i have an 80 gallon i'm working hard to get fixed to move them over) Now to convince them about my Koi too.Thanks Good luck Well you are poisoning your fish. I always tell people if you don't have the tanks for the fish, don't keep em. And your Koi should be around 10" by now, so you are messing with it's growth rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.