Imperator Angelfish (juvenile to adult)

[Shaemus]

how long does it take for a juivenile imperator angel (2-3inches) to grow into a adult (full or close to it) ?

 

[Anonymous]

They are not fast growing fish, so in terms of actual growth, it can take a few years. With regards to the color change, 18 months or better is not uncommon.

 

[Anonymous]

P. imperator is mentioned above is not one of the faster growing angels, but they usually put on a good inch and half or two inches a year depending on conditions. They will NOT get anywhere closet to full adult size in a home aquarium, and growth slows down considerably when they reach the 8" mark or so. The color changes also is often incomplete, and somewhat faded and disappointing compared to an adult wild specimen. If you're marveling at pictures of adults on the web or in books, and hope your little guy will someday look like this, best not get your hopes up.

While they are relatively hardy once fully acclimated (full acclimation takes 4 or 5 months) they are not nearly has hardy as say H. passer or P. paru, and can succumb to poor water quality very quickly, and need special attention payed to their nutritional needs of lateral line erosion is to be avoided.

They can also be kept in a reef if acquired young.

That's the longest fishy reply I've typed here in a while.

Regards
Jim