Hey turdbuglar. I have one now, actually it's my fourth. my previous three died within the first two weeks because i bought them very young, i forget how long they were. The one i have now is going on to nine months and doing well. I bought him i think about 5inches. it was slightly bigger than the previous three. i am bringing him up in a 55 gal (way too small but fine for now) with discus, an emperor tetra, false siamenses, and a 10.5 in blackghost. i know its kinda an odd combination of fish but when they are small, they are a lot more peaceful than when they are over a foot. also he did not attack any of the fish that were in the tank before he moved in, but killed everything that was added after. (i had a few neons in there for three months before i forgot to feed and he ate them) the aba grows super slowly he's only about 7 inches now. i love my aba.