hssea

do older fish still grow in size? I've got a female sword that is 3 years about 3 inches, a male sword about 2 years old also 3 inches, a pictus catfish thats 41/2 years he's about 4 inches, 2 red eye tetra's age is 2 years they are only about an inch each. I would like to add a dwarf gourami and try a german ram (with the ram my pH is 8.0 , not sure how a ram would thrive is such a high ph though).

Tank info 26 gal with a "double" HOB filter, airstone wall, water changes of 8 gallons per week. Fish 7 tiger barbs, 2 swords, 2 red eye tetras , one pictus cat

Dino

Fish grow their entire life.
The rate slows however, once they become adults.

Tavel

it greatly depends on species.

Many (most actually) have genes that halt growth, just like us. Those fish will stop growing at a specific size. Others, however, lack this inhibitor and will keep growing until they die.

Here's an interesting article that will give you some idea of what's happening.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1128083925.htmI

I don't remember if the article mentions this, but mammals can develop this defect too; it's called 'double muscle'.

hssea

Thanks Very interesting