Black Moor

[QuakingAspen]

I know now that they were a little crowded at the time but I used to have two black moors in a twenty five gallon tank with three albino corydoras catfish. One died at 4 years and the other at 6 but they were probably only three inches , if that. I got them at petsmart and am just now hearing that they can grow 8-10 inches. What in the world, they seemed perfectly healthy and I can't imagine what was wrong with them, was it the tank or could it possibly be some subspecies, were they stunted or diseased, I really have no idea! I am thinking about getting another black moor as I love them so much but what am I doing wrong

 

[Mebbid]

I know now that they were a little crowded at the time but I used to have two black moors in a twenty five gallon tank with three albino corydoras catfish. One died at 4 years and the other at 6 but they were probably only three inches , if that. I got them at petsmart and am just now hearing that they can grow 8-10 inches. What in the world, they seemed perfectly healthy and I can't imagine what was wrong with them, was it the tank or could it possibly be some subspecies, were they stunted or diseased, I really have no idea! I am thinking about getting another black moor as I love them so much but what am I doing wrong

Poor water parameters along with small tank size and inappropriate feedings can stunt the growth of fish.

How big of a tank were they in?
How often did you do water changes?

 

[QuakingAspen]

They may have actually gotten up to four inches, I am not exactly sure sure. I have heard of two feet, TWO FEET AND FOUR INCHES IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

 

[QuakingAspen]

I changed the water every two weeks and the water parameters were okay, and they were in a 25 gallon. I don't have them anymore but want to make sure that I don't make the same mistake again.

 

[Mebbid]

Gold fish are poo machines. They really should have multiple daily feedings and in a tank that size with multiple fish should probably have 2 weekly 50% water changes.

 

[QuakingAspen]

Thanks, I will definitely keep that it mind, what should be the target size.