Blue Phantom (L128)

[KirstensFishyFriends]

How long does it take for a blue phantom to mature? What size to they mature at, i know they can get around 7 inches, but i'm not sure if they mature before then. Thank you in advance!!

[Shane]

I have had males develop strong odontode growth at 4.5-5 inches standard length. I would suspect they were 3 or more years in age.
-Shane

[MarcW]

Similar to Shane's comments, one of my males has recently developed large odentodes, he is ~5 inches TL.

Luckily, as the fish is from one of my spawns I know exactly how old it is, I first saw the large odentodes when the fish was 4 years and 3 months old, which was just a few weeks ago.

In the wild I would assume they can mature quicker than this.

[MarcW]

Just a quick follow up, my F1 male was at the front of the tank earlier, so I managed to get a picture showing the odentode growth on a 4 year and 3 month old fish, when holding a tape measure up to the glass, it measured 4.25 inches SL and 5.5 inches TL, that's approximate as it was a few inches back from the front glass.

Also the picture is flipped which is why it looks like there is a puddle of mercury next to the fish, it's just a trapped air bubble!