Maturity and fin development

[Inka4040]

Just wondering... When you see male apistos with really extravagant finnage, is this usually because of their advanced age, or will males with exceptional finnage be apparent at any age?

 

[ste12000]

From my experience i would say most males show real long fin extentions after 8-12 months of age..It is certainly dependent of age..

 

[apistobob]

I think it is a little of both. A male that grows to have impressive fins can usually be identified at a younger age. However, to get the biggest , most impressive finnage it needs maturity. However, in every batch of fish there is variablity and some fish are more impressive than others.

Bob

 

[Inka4040]

Thanks! I suspected that those fish with really good finnage would be apparent at any age. The main reason I ask though, is because of the male Apisto. baenschi that I am currently breeding. When I pulled him out of the main tank, he was relatively small, and though he has gained much in terms of body mass living in his new tank, his dorsal extensions seems to be a bit lacking in development. Can I attribute this to his recent rapid growth? I know with goldfish at least, that often bodily growth outpaces finnage, but can this be applied to apistos as well?

This is the male in question: