how big should a jag be at 2 years old

[jagsandpits]

My 2yr old male sits around 13ins. He started in a 90g, then 125, currently has a 180 to himself. 75% w/c every 4-6 days, depending on my work sched. Massivore, fd krill, raw shrimp and tilapia, some Hikari gold. Boyd's VitaChem with his fish and krill. 2 days per week, no feed. Quick video of Thor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEt3LaNGr7I&feature=player_detailpage

coloration is epic, i dig that. heres a pic of my jag

 

[jagsandpits]

Nutrition and tank mates. My fish that live in a community don't grow nearly as fast and my solo ones

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i guess those are the two reasons im not gonna have a big jag

 

[Crazy mike]

i guess those are the two reasons im not gonna have a big jag

You will just have to be patient
Last pic I have of my big boy before he died


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[jagsandpits]

You will just have to be patient View attachment 1047246
Last pic I have of my big boy before he died


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how big and how old when he died?

 

[Crazy mike]

how big and how old when he died?

14 inches and around 5 years if not a little older


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[jagsandpits]

14 inches and around 5 years if not a little older


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oh snap, 5 years is young tho dont they live 10-15

 

[Aquafreak]

Unfortunate loss after 5 years. That was a beautiful Jag. OP - keep at it. Sometimes we keep fish that just don't conform to the norm and that's ok as long as they are healthy.

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[duanes]

If there are other larger, more dominant fish in the tank, that may be the reason growth is slow. The more dominant fish can produce hormones and pheromones that retard a less dominant fish growth.
I believe it is most apparent when a group of 1 species is grown together.
The only way to prevent this IMO, is dilution of the hormones with lots of water changes, or growing the fish out a tanks without other dominant cichlids.
I have been doing a growth experiment with Tilapia, ones grown in a group, are 1/3 smaller than ones grown singly, with same feeding and conditions.
Pics are in my Tilapia experiment thread, in the African riverine section.

 

[ehh]

vv


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[RD.]

The more dominant fish can produce hormones and pheromones that retard a less dominant fish growth.

With most hobbyists water change schedules, I don't believe that this is nearly the problem (build up of hormones & pheromones in the water) vs what takes place within the sub dominant fish. (internally)

In fish, stress causes an increase in both cortisol and glucose levels, which in turn affects growth levels in the stressed fish. Stress increases energy consumption, which is part of the reason that sub dominant specimens do not achieve the same growth as their superior dominant siblings. Elevated cortisol levels have also been shown to not just inhibit growth, but also inhibit digestion, energy storage, and reproduction.


Not that I suspect this with the OP's fish, the OP simply needs to have more patience and let the fish mature at its own speed. Not all fish grow at the same rate, some are late bloomers, and some never turn into quite the monster we were hoping for. You can't change genetics ....