Giant gold barbs

[Regen311]

At one of the local LFS, they had a display tank for a long time with two huge gold barbs in it. Recently when I went, the fish were gone, and I asked about them and the guy who was helping me said the fish had been in a very large tank for a very long time. I have no idea how big the tank they were in was, I'd say at least 200 gallons. Anyway, my question is has anyone else ever seen unusually large fish of a certain species? These barbs were about 5 inches (Puntius sachsii). The maximum I've seen from aquarium information is like 2.5 inches. I have 5 3 year old barbs in my 55 gallon and they're about 2.5 inches with one large female that may be slightly larger. The fish I saw at this place was at LEAST 5 inches (I'm looking at a ruler now) How does a fish that's normally much smaller get so freakishly big? It was beautiful, but huge...

 

[ksfishguy]

Have you ever seen a full grown Tinfoil Barb, they are huge!!! Some barbs get unbelievably big, do a few google searches and you will be amazed.

 

[Regen311]

Yeah... I've seen large tinfoil barbs... but their maximum size is recorded at like over 12inches. Gold barbs are usually said to max out at around 2.5 which is why I was so shocked. It wasn't a surprise to see a large barb, just a large barb of that type. Kind of like a freak fish. I was kind of just wondering if there was something you'd have to do to cause a fish to grow that large (that isn't normally supposed to be that large)

 

[tropicfishman]

you must keep in mind that when they say max size, they usually kinda downsize a fish' real size so its more tempting for an unkowing buyer. I usually add an inch or two to any max size of a fish just to be safe. I bet they were beautiful though.

 

[Regen311]

Gorgeous!!! They were amazing! I wish mine would get that big. It would be a great excuse to get a bigger aquarium So you add an inch or two even to the internet information you find huh? Interesting.