If you feed massivore, with your frequent water changes, they can reach up to 8-9" in 1 year. MFK user Gangster proved this, and mine are growing fast! I think its more satisfying to buy 3" IT Dats and growing them out. Focus on the massivore feeding and getting big full swollen bellies daily. My 12" 3BAR was super stable at the LFS @ 8", and fed goldfish there. I got it eating krill, then MP, and massivore easily.