What exactly does stunted mean?

Question

For a fish...

Answer 1

Have you ever heard the theory that fish grow into their tank size?

Basically, if you leave a goldfish in a tank that's to small, it will stop growing properly. Fish that are in a tank that's to small for them will stay small.

Unfortunately for the fish not all of it's internal organs stop growing. Eventually this will lead to the organs failing and the fish dying.

Depending on the size of the tank, this could happen in months or years.  

Answer 2

Stunted means that they grow smaller than they usually would.

Say if you had a goldfish in a five gallon tank for a year then put it in a 55 gallon, it would still never grow to full size because it's growth was stunted by keeping it in such a small tank for so long.

Answer 3

like bad stuff like caffiene and sugar stop humans growth, bad stuff like amonia and nitrates stunt fishes growth

Answer 4

To come to a halt, stop, closing.

It usually refers to growth or development.  Could be used for fish.