How long does it take for aquarium fish to grow? With comparison charts
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As there are a thousand types of aquarium fish species that’s why fish growth varies but the growth period of basic aquarium fish varies from 6-8 months to 3 years. In this period of time, it gets sexual maturity and that is mainly considered as the growth of a fish. So fishes can take up to 3 years to reach their sexual maturity.
I guess this is not satisfying for you right? But don’t worry I’m going to give you the proper explanation about the fish growth and how long each and every fish species take to grow fully here in this article.
How long do aquarium fishes take time to grow?
| Fish Species Name | Time Duration | Length of Fish (For aquarium) |
| 1. Goldfish | 1-3 months | 6-7 inches |
| 2. Molly | 2-3 months | 3-4.5 inches |
| 3. Neon Tetra | 7-8 weeks | 1.2-2 inches |
| 4. Guppy | 5-6 weeks | 1.2-2.4 inches |
| 5. Angel Fish | 1-2 months | 6-8 inches |
| 6. Cory Catfish | 1-2 years | 4 inches |
| 7. Blue Ram | 7-9 weeks | 2 inches |
| 8. Rainbow shark | 1-3 months | 6 inches |
| 9. Kuhli loach | 4-6 months | 4 inches |
| 10. Balloon Kissing gourami | 1-3 years | 4-5 inches |
| 11. Betta | 6 months – 1 year | 2-3 inches |
| 12. Discus | 2-2.5 years | 4.8-6 inches |
| 13. Tiger Barbs | 2-4 months | 2.8-3.9 inches |
| 14. Harlequin Rasbora | 3-4 months | 2 inches |
| 15. Amano shrimp | 3-5 months | 2 inches |
Read here:- Best food for aquarium fish to grow faster
From this chart, you have understood the comparison between the size of fishes with its time duration to grow fully. This is the thing you need to know otherwise a general overview isn’t enough for your question.
Here I’ve put only 15 fishes but there are thousands of fish species which grow within 3 years. Some fishes can take more but if you are just starting this hobby then you may start with these common fishes and that’s why I’ve made a chart on these.
One thing you must remember is that some fish can grow more in length when it goes outside of the fish tank. So these lengths of fish should consider only when these stay inside of an aquarium. Another thing is that fish can grow throughout its life span but here growth duration has been measured until it gets its sexual maturity.
Fishes need lots of things to grow fully. You may not get the exact same data for your fish and then you need to check some mandatory factors which are missing from your aquarium. Here I’m going to discuss some factors which are mandatory for fish growth.
Which factors are important for the growth of aquarium fishes?
The growth of fish is depended on several factors. But here I’ll discuss some factors which are mandatory for the growth of fish. So let’s get started
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Supply high-quality nutritious food
Food is one of the most important factors in the growth of fish. If you don’t provide good quality food then your fishes will not grow fully at that time duration which I’ve mentioned at the chart.
Now the question is what good quality fish food is. Right? At the early stage fish needs foods that contain protein and calcium the most. Protein helps to grow stronger and calcium helps its bones stronger. But protein-rich food is mandatory throughout its lifetime.
Another food is live food which is must be recommended for aquarium fishes. This type of food is called complete food for fish because this food contains all types of nutrients. Brine shrimp is one of the best examples of live foods. So give it to baby fry to give complete nutrients to grow faster.
Read here:- Is brine shrimp good for aquarium fish? Truth has been revealed
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Fish tank size matters the most
Generally, fishes grow bigger than they seem while staying in the aquarium. When it stays in outside pool or lake then it grows bigger. But exceptions are always there. Some fishes like guppy, neon tetra don’t grow more than 2.5 inches whereas goldfish can grow up to 15 inches if it stays in the pool or any lake. So tank size matters the most about its growth.
Basically, you need to know which size of tank fits the most for which fish. Otherwise, it won’t work for you. Here I’m giving you a chart from where you can assume about which tank size will fit you the most.
| Fish Species Name | Tank Size | Remarks |
| 1. Kissing Gourami | 50 gallons | Per pair |
| 2. Albino Rainbow Shark | 50 gallons | 125 gallon for more than two |
| 3. Neon Tetra | 10 gallons | 10 gallon for group |
| 4. Molly Fish | 10 gallons | Most Recommended 30 gallon |
| 5. Swordtail | 15 gallons | One fish need 5-6 gallon water |
| 6. Tiger Botia | 75 gallons | 150 gallon for fully grown fish |
| 7. Butterfly Fish | 75 gallons | 150 gallon is enough for all species |
| 8. Killfish | 20 gallons | Per pair |
| 9. Goldfish | 20 gallons | More space means more healthy |
| 10. Harleyquin Rasbora | 10 gallons | Pair per gallon |
| 11. Cichlids | 30 gallons | Safest option 50 gallon |
| 12. Boesemani Rainbowfish | 30 gallons | For 6 number of fish |
| 13. Guppy | 10 gallons | One fish needs 2 gallon of water |
| 14. Clown loach | 30 gallons | 150 gallon is needed for adults |
| 15. Discus Fish | 50 gallons | 7 gallon is ideal |
Here from this chart, you can easily get which size of tank you need for your fish. The quantity of fish is also important. If you want to keep more than 5 fish then you need a bigger tank even if that fish’s size is small. Otherwise, it can’t get space to swim and lack of space prevents the natural growth of fish.
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Choose the right companion of fishes
Right companion is a factor that helps fishes to grow quickly. If you don’t have the knowledge about the companion then you may choose the wrong one. A wrong companion is very dangerous because fishes can be bullied by their companion and this can give stress to that fish.
Stress is inversely proportional to the growth of fish. So here I’m trying to guide you to choose the right companion by providing a chart
| Fish Name | Companion | Avoid companion |
| 1. Betta | Poecilla, Catfish | Oscar, Guppy, Parrotfish |
| 2. Guppy | Guppy, Platies, Molly | Shark, Barbs |
| 3. Chili Rasbora | Otocinclus, Neon Tetra, Cory Catfish | Shark, any aggressive fish |
| 4. Molly | Cherry Barbs,Catfish, Danios | Convict Cichlids |
| 5. White Cloud Minnows | Cherry Barbs, Rosy Barbs | Cichlids, Tiger Barbs |
| 6. Ember Tetra | Dwarf Cichlids, Rasboras | Large predatory fishes |
| 7. Honey Gourami | Harlequin Rasbora, Danios | Oscars, Silver Dollars, Large Catfish |
Here from this chart, you can easily get information about the companion of fishes. Try to avoid those fishes which I’ve mentioned in this chart.
Final thoughts
The growth of fish is depended on various things and the size of fish may vary also. But here I’ve tried to give a proper explanation with a chart to make you understand the size of fish.
So best of luck & happy fishkeeping 🐟