How Quickly Do They Grow?

[robert.sadler]

Hey guys

I was just wondering how quickly Guppy, molly and platy fry grow?

As in 7 days = xxxcm

14 days = xxxcm

Etc...?


Cheers

Robert

 

[OldMan47]

It depends a lot on what you feed them and what teperature you keep them. At higher temperatures, within their comfort zone, they will grow faster but have a shorter lifespan. If well fed with high protein, high fat diets, they will grow faster. Very frequent water changes have also been known to help but the jury is out on why that is. I have seen speculation about fish releasing chemicals into the water that inhibit growth with the statement that removing it through water changes helps speed their growth but I don't know if I'm ready to buy that story.
I am about to do something that I know will speed up growth and that's to put my fry in an outdoors large container where they will get some natural light and where the water can sometimes get a bit green without bothering anybody, so they get the benefits of a more natural environment that is still free of predators. The result is almost always fast growth but for me its a summer only thing. Too cold here for tropicals to survive the winter.

 

[Colin_T]

Fry produce a hormone to prevent other fry developing around them. In the confines of an aquarium, the hormone quickly builds up and stunts their growth. Water changes dilute the hormone and help keep them growing quickly. Carbon removes it too.
I agree with the OldMan give the fry lots of food, regular water changes, warm water, and as much room as possible. Then they can reach a saleable size within 3-4months.

 

[freddythefish]

The hormone thing make sense really but I didn't know before!!

 

[fourthtimelucky]

That's interesting!

Three of my first platy fry have survived to 1.5cm, colouring up nicely (blue just like their daddy!) from a few weeks ago. They look just like mini adults now. I now have two more batches, some around two weeks old (four of them at last count) , some born in the last five days whilst I was away from home (at least three of them). The two batches are almost the same size despite the difference in their ages, between 3 and 5mm I would guess.

Will be interesting to see if these grow & colour as fast as the first lot, also survival rates: more competition for food, more predation from their older siblings & cousins!

Does anyone know where to get more info about the hormone theory? I'd like to read up on it.

 

[kribensis12]

^ google it.