I thought this might make for an interesting discussion. What types of growth rates are we experiencing with our near-adult fish? What do we think is normal?
For example... P. Senegalus. I have a pair of boys that I purchased when I moved to Texas in late 2004. They are now three years old and are a little over 9'' TL. And I don't think they've grown at all in the past 6 months, so their growth all happened previously. Any comparisons to that? Anyone know their sens' exact ages and lengths?
Next, the one I'm really curious about, our big P. Endlicheri Congicus, "Duce". We used to call him "Medusa" until he developed in certain areas. When I measured him in December of last year, he was 12'' on the dot. 10 months later, 13.5". Normal? Kevin and I were discussing it and both of us think this extra inch and a half was put on within the last two months - his appetite has skyrocketed, along with his length. Is it possible for the bigger fish to have growth spurts similar to those of the youngsters, then have their growth drop off again?
Indy, our P. Endlicheri Endlicheri formerly known as "Indica Rose" (again until he devoloped in certain areas) has only put on a half an inch since last December, just now getting to 11.5''.
We all know the little babies we get eat like horses and never seem to be full up. I've come to the conclusion that 'appetite equals growth rate', regardless of the fish age. I've found that if a fish eats at least once at each feeding, it's size (in both length and width) will hold steady. If they go on a fast, there's no growth lengthwise, but they lose some girth. And finally, if they start eating and bulging out at each feeding, I can usually expect a sizeable spurt in about two weeks. Does anyone agree?
Share your stories, and if you have before and after pics of older fish, please share
Jessie*
KOTR
For example... P. Senegalus. I have a pair of boys that I purchased when I moved to Texas in late 2004. They are now three years old and are a little over 9'' TL. And I don't think they've grown at all in the past 6 months, so their growth all happened previously. Any comparisons to that? Anyone know their sens' exact ages and lengths?
Next, the one I'm really curious about, our big P. Endlicheri Congicus, "Duce". We used to call him "Medusa" until he developed in certain areas. When I measured him in December of last year, he was 12'' on the dot. 10 months later, 13.5". Normal? Kevin and I were discussing it and both of us think this extra inch and a half was put on within the last two months - his appetite has skyrocketed, along with his length. Is it possible for the bigger fish to have growth spurts similar to those of the youngsters, then have their growth drop off again?
Indy, our P. Endlicheri Endlicheri formerly known as "Indica Rose" (again until he devoloped in certain areas) has only put on a half an inch since last December, just now getting to 11.5''.
We all know the little babies we get eat like horses and never seem to be full up. I've come to the conclusion that 'appetite equals growth rate', regardless of the fish age. I've found that if a fish eats at least once at each feeding, it's size (in both length and width) will hold steady. If they go on a fast, there's no growth lengthwise, but they lose some girth. And finally, if they start eating and bulging out at each feeding, I can usually expect a sizeable spurt in about two weeks. Does anyone agree?
Share your stories, and if you have before and after pics of older fish, please share
Jessie*
KOTR
I April I bought a 16" koliba and my 2 endlis were at 13". We are now in October and both endlis have surpassed the koliba. I have 2 congicus that I wish would have the appetited of the endlis right now.