How do you tell how old a Cichlid is?

[Newfe]

I have had 2 both males. 1 was 9 years old, 1 was 3 years old. The older was more curved. I lost both in the last year.

 

[Dullamite]

I've always wondered about that. The great fish question, How old is it???

 

[flowerpower]

Go Natalie! Great answer to a great question.
I've never thought to try and figure out the age of a fish I acquired as an adult.
That info could be very useful though.

 

[knifegill]

Wait...aren't the rings caused by periods of slow and rapid growth? Why would aquarium specimens show ridges when conditions are basically stable all year?

 

[Natalie]

Wait...aren't the rings caused by periods of slow and rapid growth? Why would aquarium specimens show ridges when conditions are basically stable all year?

Hmm, good point... I can ask about that one. The rings in the scales are called "annular rings" so I always assumed that each ring would count annually. You're right, most cultured/grown food fish are raised outdoors where the warm season triggers the faster growth, then winter is slower. I'll check up on that!

 

[balton777]

Natalie that is very interesting. I'm wondering would the rings simply be further apart from one another in that case?

 

[cichlid_8810]

Thanks - I want to know so I can at least enjoy him for a while - so I hope he isnt near death.

 

[Amphilophus88]

Old Jack Dempsey are very easy to recognize. They get very tall and their back gets curved. Bit hard to describe, but yours isn't old. Of course he could be 5-6 years I don't know.