Max size of the Heterotilapia Buttikoferi?

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

So I got into a debate with this guy who says Butti don’t get over 12 inches and I was like what?! I’ve seen a lot of misinformation online that they max out at 12 inches but we all know that’s not true. Females in many cichlid species are about 4-6 inches smaller than males and my female was a little over 11.5 inches at her TOD, so let’s just say 12 inches. I’m not saying she’s an exceptional female of her species, I think she falls into the average size range of a female Buttikoferi. I myself has seen a large individual in an aquarium and it looked to be about 15-16 inches. I’ve heard that some members have had some monsters of over 15 inches so can anyone vouch for that? Just a lot of misinformation all around so I’d like to hear all the Buttikoferi owners comment what size they max out at.

 

[Sassafras]

This one claims to be 15 inches

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

This one claims to be 15 inches
View attachment 1543469

Hm not sure about that tbh, off the size of this guy’s fingers (unless he has GIANT hands?) Looks more like 9-10 inches.
For comparison this was mine at her TOD.

 

[Midwater]

I had four of them. They grew incredibly, and were beautiful. And very aggressive.

They were between fifteen and eighteen inches when I gave them away - which was not easy - no one wanted them.

I believe they had not finished growing.

If it is relevant, they water temperature was pretty warm.

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

I had four of them. They grew incredibly, and were beautiful. And very aggressive.

They were between fifteen and eighteen inches when I gave them away - which was not easy - no one wanted them.

I believe they had not finished growing.

If it is relevant, they water temperature was pretty warm.

All 4 of them? Wow very impressive.

 

[AR1]

I havr one which is growing like a weed and super aggressive

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

I havr one which is growing like a weed and super aggressive

Yeah they’re very fast growers, only my Oscar matched her in growth rate. How big is it right now?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

from 2" to 14" in 2.5 years, 4 fish:

Four Heterotilapia buttikoferi at Fish Story Aquarium and Rescue

My first post ever in this section, I think. A couple of years ago got five 2" butti from Rapps, lost one early on after a few months, IDK why, the tummy was badly distended. The current four are 10"+ with one breeding pair claiming the right hand side of the 240 gal they have always been in...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[AR1]

Yeah they’re very fast growers, only my Oscar matched her in growth rate. How big is it right now?

i got mine at a size of about 1.5 inches and within three months its pushing 5 inches

 

[phreeflow]

Definitely larger than 12”…seen 15” eyeballed