How to approximate a fish’s age?

Pufferlover95

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When it comes to determining the age of a fish, size I’m sure is the first thing that many use to approximate it. Over time, they obviously get larger and you can count the day you got them as their “birthday” and keep track of how many years old they are.

But what about when you purchase a fish that is already large? You weren’t there at collection so you have no idea how long the fish has been alive. Is there a better way for the average hobbiest to determine this? I’ve seen articles about measuring scale size, but that’s too complex for the average hobbiesy.
IMG_5996.jpeg


On a related note, does anybody have an approximate guess on the age of the fish listed with their original purchase size?

Harlequin Tusk Wrasse (purchase size 6in)
Porcupine Pufferfish (purchase size 10in)
Adult Emperor Angelfish (purchase size 7in)
 

MnFish1

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When it comes to determining the age of a fish, size I’m sure is the first thing that many use to approximate it. Over time, they obviously get larger and you can count the day you got them as their “birthday” and keep track of how many years old they are.

But what about when you purchase a fish that is already large? You weren’t there at collection so you have no idea how long the fish has been alive. Is there a better way for the average hobbiest to determine this? I’ve seen articles about measuring scale size, but that’s too complex for the average hobbiesy.
IMG_5996.jpeg


On a related note, does anybody have an approximate guess on the age of the fish listed with their original purchase size?

Harlequin Tusk Wrasse (purchase size 6in)
Porcupine Pufferfish (purchase size 10in)
Adult Emperor Angelfish (purchase size 7in)
There is no way to tell. based on purchase size.
 

i cant think

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When it comes to determining the age of a fish, size I’m sure is the first thing that many use to approximate it. Over time, they obviously get larger and you can count the day you got them as their “birthday” and keep track of how many years old they are.

But what about when you purchase a fish that is already large? You weren’t there at collection so you have no idea how long the fish has been alive. Is there a better way for the average hobbiest to determine this? I’ve seen articles about measuring scale size, but that’s too complex for the average hobbiesy.
IMG_5996.jpeg


On a related note, does anybody have an approximate guess on the age of the fish listed with their original purchase size?

Harlequin Tusk Wrasse (purchase size 6in)
Porcupine Pufferfish (purchase size 10in)
Adult Emperor Angelfish (purchase size 7in)
They could easily be 5-10 years old but at the same time only 1-4 years old.
 

GARRIGA

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If it looks like me and moves like me... It's old otherwise no clue :frowning-face:
 

HAVE YOU EVER KEPT A RARE/UNCOMMON FISH, CORAL, OR INVERT? SHOW IT OFF IN THE THREAD!

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  • Other (please explain).

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