Lots of pics & threads over the years posted here and elsewhere showing large adult specimens, males & females. Such as in this thread, that I linked to earlier on.
Festae have been popular for years and years. Lots of people have them, even more want them. Yet I hardly ever see large adult males posted. Where's all the 13"-16"++ Festae?? Post pics if you have one, or have had one in the past and still have it's pic. Even if it's not yours. If your friend...
www.monsterfishkeepers.com
Unfortunately, unlike the fish referred to in the opening post, most have not been accurately measured with a tape, and are mostly just eye balled and approx. size given. The pic posted above by Viktor, was I believe owned by
greenterra
Brent also posted in Balton's thread linked to above.
it does actually make you stop and think about the fish you have in your own aquarium and what their true size potential could be if not restricted by diet, tank size, and water changes..
IME beyond the basic care needs, and of course genetics, IME the largest restriction on maximizing fish in this hobby, is that most hobbyists do not keep the same fish for 10+ years, so that fishes maximum is typically never experienced by the person posting in these discussions. As I recall that large male festae posted by greenterra in the pic that
thebiggerthebetter
posted was removed from its tank once it matured due to aggression issues, as he had an all male set up, and that fish didn't comm well. Where did it end up, how large did it get, and how old did it live to, is anyone's guess. That seems to be a very common theme on most forums.