Platty Fish

Question
I brought home a pregnant Platys and she had the babies, I was wondering, why some of them have grown so big in no time at all, while the others vary from very tiny to medium size? I have never had these types of fish before, I enjoy them but find it confusing why they grow at such drastic growth rates.

Thanks for any information on this .
Laura

Answer
Hi Laura,
 That is an excellent question and the phenomenon even has a name: it is called growth depensation. It is a common trait of most fish.  The reason for it exactly is unknown. What we suspect is that it has to do with slight differences in the offspring that get magnified.  For example, say one of the fry was just a little larger and therefore just a little faster than his brothers and sisters. When food is dropped into the tank, he is first to get it. As a result, he grows even larger and faster than his brothers, gets more food, and so on.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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