Hi, i bought 4 oscars (3 tigers + 1 albino) about 4 months ago, i had them all in a 5x2x30" tank, i noticed the albino Oscar wasnt really growing, was getting picked on by my other Oscars and he wasnt fighting for food.
I moved him into a seperate tank (200L) with another Oscar, about a month ago, the other Oscar is growing really well, but the albino 1 has only grown about an inch since ive had him. He eats well and seems well enough.
Levels are as follows-

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-20
P.h-7.6

I am sorting out another 5ft tank for the 2 oscars to go into, will have that in the next month.
I know it isnt the size of the tank which is stunting the albino Oscars growth, because the other Oscar in the same tank has grown about 2.5" in about 2 months.

They're eating pellets (Hikari Gold) twice a day and prawns/bloodworm/garden worms as a treat.

Any ideas why he isnt growing??

thanks alot
kris

not all fish will grow at the same rate, and some will end up smaller than others. this is not uncommon with albinos as they have a deformed gene to start with,this is why they are albino. Is its poo looking ok? no worms. this can be a reason to but is not as common. keeping nitrates as low as poss is the best you could do along with a good mixed diet.

yea his poo is fine, he dont go very often but when he goes he goes lol.
our tap water nitrates are 20 anyway so cant get it lower without adding stuff to the water so i just keep it at 20.

There are ways of lowering down nitrate levels in a tank, I would consider doing so if my source water had them in.

Usually going planted is the easiest way. Since Oscars and plants is a risky thing ( I keep them in a moderately planted tank with good success ), you could built a DIY Nitrate remover. It works like a sump filter, but you intentionally induce algae to grow there.

All you need is a small container, a screen, good lights... It's not my idea, just something I read in another forum I am a member of.

Check more info here:
www.fishlore.com/fishforum/diy-do-yourse...ate-remover-diy.html

Pepe
Santo Domingo

fluval also sell a nitrate reducer media which ive have used with some success however a nitrate reading below 40 is fine in a healthy tank. like marcus said not all fish grow at the same rate or as big as the norm(just look at people some are 5' tall some 6' ) as long as he is eating and healthy i wouldnt worry about it to much.

not all fish grows at the same rate even in the same
kind and specie. you need not worry about it as long
as it remain active and healthy. my two oscars are now
having differences in size, the female outgrow the male.
it is now visible that the lady is larger by almost 1 inch.

I wouldn't worry bout how the Albino not growing fast as the others it just takes time and patience and you'll be rewarded with a great white,Tiger looking Oscar.Like others have said in here to you,not all are created equal.The Albino will grow fine and maybe with this slow growing rate it may grow bigger than the others