Stunted Bristol Shubunkins?

[Veil Gal]

I received a gift of very young (eyelash size) Bristol fry last year from Afertuna. I put them in aquariums initially, but eventually moved them into my outdoor 300 gallon pond. These fish were spawned in Spring of 2009. I successfully overwintered them (upstate New York) but they are "stuck in time" size wise. The fish range from 2 to 3 inches in length. They look great, but small. Do you think they will grow this second year? Or is there no hope of growing up year old fish that were not aquarium raised their first year. These fish were subjected to hibernation for about five months, starting at about six months of age late last fall.

I had absolutely no more room indoors, so I did what I felt was practical--overwinter the bristols. Surely I have proved they are winter hardy here in NYS. But the question is, will they grow and breed? Or are they probably stunted and best give away as pets?:youtellme:

[Corrie]

Michelle, that sounds pretty good to me. 2-3 inches in one year and outside over winter.
It's probably just starting to warm up for you, so you should really see them take off now.

[johnatoranchu]

Bristols are perfectly hardy and most hobbyists winter them outside here; under ice as necessary, and I cannot understand why some keepers in the US say that they are fragile. The fish are small, they should be 4-5 inches at 6 months but I doubt that they are stunted. Resume feeding once the water temperature steadies at 52F+ and they should grow away and breed normally.
John

[nygold]

I learned the same lesson this past winter I kept a bunch of fish in a large green water tank (more like an indoor pond) that holds between 150 and 180 gallons depending on how high I fill it. I kept it in my basement which has no heat so the water dipped as low as the high 50's in mid winter. Despite the GW and the winter long feeding non of my fish grew. But non show signs of being stunted like large eyes or weird shaped bodies.

[Cincy Ranchu]

First they will breed at this size. The size seems to be temperature and nutrition dependant. Fis I spawned in October 2009 are 2" that were grown at 67F, the same spawn grown at 80F are now 4"

I think you are fine

[Veil Gal]

I appreciate the encouragement about my bristols. The tails look really good on the fish I retained, and nice mix of colors. I will give these fish the best of care.
We anticipate moving to our new home later this summer. I am debating whether to put the Bristols in one of the earthen ponds. My husband thinks I will never see them again, if I do.

[VeiltailGuy]

I'm not sure if I would personally, put them in a earthen pond until I had enough to tolerate some predation. Raccoon herons and snakes can be a issue, if u do put outside, make sure u have tons of cover from waterlilies an other pond plants... Just the other day I had a snake take a large Bristol of mine! Sux!