|
Egg
-
Typically 0 to 60 hours.
At 80 degrees F. eggs usually hatch at about
60 hours. The hatch time can be shortened
slightly at higher temperatures or
lengthened by cooler temperatures.
Interestingly all of the eggs seem to hatch
within a fairly narrow time window. Usually
within a few hours of the first eggs
hatching the rest will hatch.
Wigglers
- From
hatching to free swimming.
Usually ends during the 7th day after
hatching. The duration of this growth stage
is temperature dependant. Higher
temperatures will reduce the duration, and
cooler temperatures will lengthen the time.
Fry left with the parents may act as
"wigglers" a little longer as the parents
may continuously replace them onto the
selected surface.
Fry
- From
free swimming until they take on the
appearance of an angel. Fry will initially
be elongated. As they grow and develop
dorsal and anal fins will appear, usually
first seen at around day 12. The fish will
flatten and take on an angel appearance
usually by 3 weeks but may be longer
depending on tank conditions, crowding and
food supply. Some varieties especially
double dark blacks will usually be slower to
develop. With frequent water changes and
feedings, clean tank conditions and not
being overcrowded, growth to dime sized
bodies can be achieved in 4 weeks,
especially with the hardier strains.
Overcrowding, poorer water conditions, over
feeding, under feeding, can all lead to
slower growth and potential fin problems or
deformities.
Juveniles
- Once
they take on an angel appearance they can be
referred to as juveniles. Fish are usually
described based on the size of their body
excluding fins. In the US, American coins
are used to estimate their size. Dime,
nickel, quarter, half dollar and dollar or
larger size. (not the new gold coin)
Adults
- Once
they reach breeding age they can be referred
to as adults. This can be as little as 6
months but usually around 9 to 12 months.
Fish age - age of the fry/juveniles have
generally been listed in 2 ways.
1) Time from the egg being laid or
2) Time from the fry free swimming. Only 1
week usually separates the two but it may
make a difference when trying to compare
growth rates of 3-week-old fish that may be
3 to 4 weeks old since being laid. Whether
one uses time since the egg was laid or time
from free swimming is not important as long
as this information is conveyed. Interesting
that most animals that are raised in
captivity from eggs are aged from the egg
hatching.
Preferred form
for the age of Angelfish fry/juveniles shall
be the time from the egg being laid (spawn
date). |