[clownfishlover]

Is it true that a fish will only reach its maximum size if the tank is big enough?

[vtec si]

NO! A fish can out grow a tank! I have seen fish reach max size in tanks that are way to small for them. Most woun't do well and may die if they do not have enough room!

[Reefland]

I think tangs are a prime example of this. Even very small tangs can grow quite large in just a year.

[The R/C Man]

One of my buddies purchased a Vlamingii and he has plans to give it to me when it gets to big for his tank.

[Reefland]

Can't beat that!

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by clownfishlover

Is it true that a fish will only reach its maximum size if the tank is big enough?

It's true that it is not likely that a fish would reach its MAXIMUM size in a tank that is too small for the simple reason that it would be an unhealthy environment and therefore not able to provide the conditions necessary for the fish to thrive. It is even possible that a fish wouldn't live long enough to reach its maximum size if the tank was much smaller than adequate.

I once overheard an LFS employee tell a customer that "none of our fish will get bigger than 4" in your tank." Obviously that's an absurd statement unless he was predicting that, for reasons known only to him, his store's fish were not likely to live that long.

When choosing fish, you should always consider their normal adult size and their behavioral requirements in deciding if they are appropriate for your particular aquarium.