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If I keep 4 red bellies in a 55, will their growth be stunted?
Stunted growth
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eventually i'd say ya but it would take a long time. once they get 7 inches or bigger i'd get a bigger tank. that is if you want them to get over 10".
wes
wes
Stunted growth is a problem not completely understood, but the general consensus by biologists is that it is unhealthy.
Genetics may be implied here for long term effects of runted specimens. I have had several examples of such abnormal specimens where growth was limited to under 13 cm for most of these mutants, later resulting in death. I covered this under the species P. nattereri at the OPEFE web site. With normal specimens, stunted seems to be a condition that is temporary. However, I have not tested this to any degree and my own experience with piranhas raised in small containers for more than 5 years, usually resulted in the fish extending its length after a period of a few months. Not a hard fast rule, yet something to consider.
Genetics may be implied here for long term effects of runted specimens. I have had several examples of such abnormal specimens where growth was limited to under 13 cm for most of these mutants, later resulting in death. I covered this under the species P. nattereri at the OPEFE web site. With normal specimens, stunted seems to be a condition that is temporary. However, I have not tested this to any degree and my own experience with piranhas raised in small containers for more than 5 years, usually resulted in the fish extending its length after a period of a few months. Not a hard fast rule, yet something to consider.
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