Mystery

[nashnut]

I have two grow out tanks plus several smaller tanks that I've converted into a barracks type of housing for the young bettas.

To my surprise I discovered that some of the males currently in the runt grow out tank have far surpassed the others in growth. Not only are they larger in body size but also in fin growth. Now all fish were fed the same way. The runt grow out tank is only 10 gallons in size while the other is larger. I also noticed that those fish separated have been aggressive protecting their property. The ones in the larger tank are also becoming very aggressive. However, those in the runt tank are more passive and the males are coexisting without tearing each other apart.

Any ideas???

 

[John_Nicholson]

Are there differences in water changes for the 2 tanks? The three things you need for good growth is good genetics, good food, and lots of water changes.

-john

 

[MAM]

Just throwing out ideas here, in addition to water changes/parameter, what about the two tanks' temperature? What about ratio of fish? Does the smaller tank have a smaller number of fish per gallon than the larger? I have no idea if these might be factors, just thought i'd throw them out there............

 

[wuvmybetta]

Imo,you've removed the larger, more aggressive fish and given the smaller the chance to surpass, which they've done. You've basically weeded out the troublesome and you might be able to keep the more docile fish together longer. The larger fry will hog the food and put out pheremones that will stunt the smaller, so you did the right thing, just a little sooner than most. Usually the larger get pulled and jarred around here, but the small ones always catch up once they're gone.
So, my opinion, in a nutshell is that the smaller fish were more laid back, not as aggressive towards each other or towards eating time, and now that the riff raff is gone they're free to relax and grow at a speedy pace Also, since the runt tank is smaller, this would imply that you did water changes on it more often than the others.

 

[nashnut]

Probably did water changes about the same number of times. I might have changed more of the water in the runt tank than I did in the other grow out tank but not in the small tanks. Those were complete water changes.

I think the temperatures are all about the same. I will be lowering them to attempt to get more females than males.

They are really laid back in the runt tank. They bump into each other and there's a nip every now and then but nothing like the other tank. I would say, also, that there are more fish in the runt tank.

The photo <-<-<- is one of a non runt that was put in his own tank.