Odessa Barbs - same age / some haven't grown (stunted)

Hello there,
I have an observation re: stunted growth

About 2 years ago, I bought some Odessa Barbs - all on the same day, from the same pet store. They were all approximately the same size.
I believe there were 11-12 in total - 9 remaining. (parasitic infections likely, didn't make it, even after hospital tank)

Of the 9 Odessa Barbs - I'd say 3 are really decent size and very attractive, definitely grew over the past 2 years. The remaining 6 barbs have barely grown in length and just shabby by comparison. They are healthy looking, but I'm just really surprised by the overall lack of growth.

Is it possible that some of these barbs are just genetically weak/inferior/ too much in-breeding?
Have you experienced this as well? It's disappointing to me and I can't imagine the other barbs have a dramatically different growth rate, especially after ~ 2 years.
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38 Gallon
50% water change, every week. (Treated with Prime)
79F
2 filters (1 x AquaClear 50, 1xTetra Whisper 40)
Live plants/wood/slate/sandy bottom

 

It's been my experience that Odessa Barbs don't do especially well in hard water & warmer temperatures.
If either one of those factors apply in your case, that maybe the answer.

 

It's been my experience that Odessa Barbs don't do especially well in hard water & warmer temperatures.
If either one of those factors apply in your case, that maybe the answer.

Ahh, interesting.
So while 3 of the barbs grew to 2" or so, the rest may be sensitive to hard water and/or warmer temps.

Yes - to both hard water and warmer temp. (79F).
Maybe I could experiment and lower the temperature? I have a Kribensis and Bristlenose Pleco in there as well, so I'll have to see what they'd be happy with.

 

I had similar experience with Black skirt tetra's. Bought 6 eight months ago and some grew quite a bit and others not much. No losses and all look and act quite heathy. Like you, I think it has to do with genetics and possibly inbreeding.

 

The pleco would be fine with cooler temps, don't know about the kribs.

 

Genetic variations are common in all animals, whether you are talking about people, dogs, cats, or fish. I used to have a Goldendoodle named Lucy that was 65# when full grown. She had a sister Daisy born in the same liter that topped out at 35#, but both were healthy dogs. Just because some fish are smaller does not necessarily make them inferior.

 

Genetic variations are common in all animals, whether you are talking about people, dogs, cats, or fish. I used to have a Goldendoodle named Lucy that was 65# when full grown. She had a sister Daisy born in the same liter that topped out at 35#, but both were healthy dogs. Just because some fish are smaller does not necessarily make them inferior.

Inferior? No - but noticeably less attractive than the 3 fine Odessa specimens that share the aquarium