How Big?

Hi all!

I am new here and glad I stumbled across this forum. I have a couple of questions on some native fish that we have. I have a 26 gal. flat back hex tropical community tank that contains 1 large pink kissing fish (he's about 4 yrs old and 4 1/2-5 inches long) his tropical buddies are a tigger barb, a dwarf gouarmi, a cory, a loach, and a silver catfish. Now I have had a 4-4 1/2 in. (was about 3 in when I got it) blue gill that someone gave me a few months back and he has been living in the community tank with no problems. Yesterday while on a fishing trip with the kids, we came home with 5 more little ones. One is a blue gill and I think the others are a redear and a greenie not quite sure since they are only about 3-3 1/2 inches at the most. I ended up putting them in the community tank, since one decided he wanted to take a jump and well he is MIA. Question is how big will they get? I know tropical fish will only grow given the tank size they are in. Do native fish follow this as well? Or do they just keep growing and growing? I would like the newbies and what I have in there now to stay the same size as they are now until I can get them in a 55g. We do plan on setting up a 55g native tank at somepoint in the next couple of months.

Any info is greatly appreciated. TYIA

Laura

Hello and welcome, lulupalooza!

Bluegill, redears, and greens are three of the largest sunfish; all can reach a foot in length and weigh a pound or more. They will not stop growing unless they are kept in poor conditions. Even a 55 is not enough room for five big sunnies.

With that said, please do not return these fish to the wild, as they could carry pathogens with them. If you don't want to get a big tank for them (I'm not sure how big of a tank they would need), then you could offer them in the Native Fish Market section on this site, and possibly trade them for more suitable inhabitants for a 55 gallon.

But before you do that, get some decent photos of the little guys and post them in the Identification Help section. It's possible that you have caught some of the smaller sunfish species, which will be fine in a 55 gallon tank. Young sunnies can be tricky to ID.

Thanks Newt!

Well, I hate to say, we are down to 3. 2 have basically commited suicide. One yesterday and one just a bit ago while we were gone to buy a new tank and set up.Even with a tank lid on! They somehow jumped out of the small opening in the back of the tank where the filtration hangs. Those suckers have pretty good aim! Just for now I have set up a 10 gallon for the 3 babies and will be working on getting a bigger tank set up here real soon. DH wants at least 100 gallon tank.

Now I have heard that native fish carry parasites. Should I go ahead and treat my tank or just watch the fish closely. I am not worried about the bluegill that is in there since he has been in there for almost 2 months with the other fish and is doing really well. I will post some pics later tonite of the 3 babies that are in the 10 gallon and someone can help me positive id these buggers.

Edited by lulupalooza, 24 March 2008 - 03:25 PM.

Now I have heard that native fish carry parasites. Should I go ahead and treat my tank or just watch the fish closely. I am not worried about the bluegill that is in there since he has been in there for almost 2 months with the other fish and is doing really well. I will post some pics later tonite of the 3 babies that are in the 10 gallon and someone can help me positive id these buggers.

Parasites aren't really a problem unless tank conditions are bad. Most wild animals have parasites, but in the wild they can get away from their feces, which have parasites in them. In captive conditions, they can't do this, but if you do water changes often and have good filtration, they shouldn't be a problem. If you're going to treat the tank, the sooner the better.

Laura - small world. My wife is from Augusta - her Dad owned the BonAire (or whatever it's called) Hotel. She still has family in the area.

Cool! I have lived here all my life as well. The Bonaire is a beautiful hotel! I have been to a few special events there. Lots of fun parties back in the day!

Laura - small world. My wife is from Augusta - her Dad owned the BonAire (or whatever it's called) Hotel. She still has family in the area.

I know tropical fish will only grow given the tank size they are in.

I would just like to point out that this is a myth. Tropical fish and any others will grow and keep growing to their natural size in any size aquarium until one of three things happens
1. It reaches maximum size in an appropriately sized tank.
2. It stops growing due to not enough room and too many metabolic wastes in the water (i.e. stunted growth, unhealthy fish)
3. It dies due to small tank size (due to factors mentioned above, jumping out, or injury due to contact with the glass)

I work at a Petco, I hear people say this all the time, but it is simply not true. No matter what kind of fish it is, it needs a tank that can comfortably accommodate it at its maximum size.

Thanks Kanus

That is what I always thought as well. Looking at the blue gill that is in the what I thought was a 26g- it's actually a 32g, since I look the liberty of actually measuring it- I know he will need a much bigger tank here in the next couple of months. We are on the hunt for a 100-125g now. If anyone knows where I can get one please let me know. I work at the Petsmart here for Nutro pet food, but never seen one that big!

I would just like to point out that this is a myth. Tropical fish and any others will grow and keep growing to their natural size in any size aquarium until one of three things happens
1. It reaches maximum size in an appropriately sized tank.
2. It stops growing due to not enough room and too many metabolic wastes in the water (i.e. stunted growth, unhealthy fish)
3. It dies due to small tank size (due to factors mentioned above, jumping out, or injury due to contact with the glass)

I work at a Petco, I hear people say this all the time, but it is simply not true. No matter what kind of fish it is, it needs a tank that can comfortably accommodate it at its maximum size.

Petsmart can probably special order a tank for you; if you get an employee discount, that might be your best bet. Also look for used tanks in your area on Craigslist and other classified ad sites.

Most shops won't have a tank that size on hand but a privately owned petshop might be able to special order you one. Other then that you may have to shop online or in the classifieds. Craigslist is a good place to look. If you want one brand new perhaps try www.glasscages.com
As for fish size, Kanus is correct. Fish keep growing. Your kissing gourami is actually capable of reaching 8-10". The silver catfish is likely another large growing species but without a scientific name I cannot be sure what species it is exactly.
On the subject of parasites I wouldn't worry to much. I keep lots of wild fish and have only had a couple parasite related problems with anchor worm. Truthfully LFS fish are just as likely to have them. I do suggest keeping an eye on them though.

Edited by sandtiger, 25 March 2008 - 03:49 PM.