Loaches Online Forum

Hi!
About 3 weeks ago I purchased 2 clowns which were approx twice the size of my existing group. Since then, the biggest one of my "old" clowns (whom I assume was the Alpha-clown) has grown about 0,5-1 cm in just 3 weeks, + gained a lot of weight. (I had to put the two big, new clowns straight into the maintank, as i didn`t have a large enough q-tank. So far, it seems to go well....)

Is it at all possible that the former(?) Alpha-clown has aqquired this fast growth simply because it "feels" that it`s position is threatened by the 2 new-comers? He/she has also become somewhat more aggressive ("pinching" the others) lately.

Kind regards
Marius

to be honest i don't think the new clowns have made any difference except to show you that although they were already putting size on you did'nt notice it.
i have some fish that i think have'nt moved in size until one of my mates comes over and says that fish aint half grown, we get accustomed to seeing our fish all the time.

mick

You`re probably right
I had a theory that "competition" could increase hormone-production (not uncommon in the animal world), but I`m probably "out on a limb" here
But the "old" clown has definately grown A LOT, since the big ones arrived. No doubt about that.

Kind regards
Marius

I think your growth theories could be true. But you also have more fish, so you are probably feeding them more. The toughest fish will win the competition for food and will grow more.