Can a fish with stunted growth make a full recovery???

[beachman22]

I've wondered about this for a while and I'm sure that you folks know the answer. Just so you know this is just a hypothetical question and doesn't concern any specific fish/species.
Can a fish that has been in a tank that is too small, resulting in stunted growth, be moved to a larger tank and recover and eventually grow to its full potential? Or will the fish ultimately be stunted for life?
Thanks in advance, and any input on the subject would be helpful.

 

[DeLgAdO]

most stunts are caused by poor nutrition and/or poor water quality.

but yes a fish (depending on its age and severity of its situation) can have another growth spurt and grow to size, however they may never reach there full potential size.

they can also be stunted for life.

 

[Mastiffman]

I know that this is an old post...

But how will the fishes growth be stunted to the point that it may not reach it's full potential in size? Is this because the growth of the fish will have less time to reach that point being that the fish will only live so long?

Or Becuase of something internal that will prevent the Cell Cycle from producing Cell at a normal rate?

 

[eatingleg4peanut]

I believe its the later, something to do with hormones in the water, not so much (imo) do to tank size as is has to do with water changes.

 

[fhawk362]

I believe its the later, something to do with hormones in the water, not so much (imo) do to tank size as is has to do with water changes.

^^^I agree, most likely if the fish is stunted it will probably remain stunted, think of it in terms of people, we need the proper stimulants/nutrition for optimal growth (like how your parents say you better eat your vegetables lol) and if were not receiving such nutrients during our optimal time of growth then we won't be getting any taller once in adult hood even if reintroduced, we (as well as fish) should become healthier and grow out a bit but length wise I dont see much changing. Although, many fish have indeterminate growth (meaning they grow their whole lives) but growth slows in adulthood still.

And from what Ive heard it seems that stunted fish happen because of bad environments, which may be indirectly related to tank size but Ive seen some big fish that grew up in smaller tanks but they had the right environment.

 

[inssane]

I have been 5'7 since I was in high school, so no, there is no recovery.

 

[MonsterMinis]

depends i think in individual species and length of stunting. I've seen some fish make "complete recoverys" and some that no matter what remain stunted. anything that results in deformaties is almost always irreversable.. but "small" fish can usually start growing properly and attain average sizes ime. Water quality seems even more important then nutrition in these instances.. the exception are starved individuals. naturally getting them on a better quality diet will help. But 9/10 it's poor water quality that stunted fish seem to come from, not poor nutrition alone.

 

[Miguel]

depends i think in individual species and length of stunting. I've seen some fish make "complete recoverys" and some that no matter what remain stunted. anything that results in deformaties is almost always irreversable.. but "small" fish can usually start growing properly and attain average sizes ime. Water quality seems even more important then nutrition in these instances.. the exception are starved individuals. naturally getting them on a better quality diet will help. But 9/10 it's poor water quality that stunted fish seem to come from, not poor nutrition alone.

Exactly my opinion.