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How quick do barbel grow?

Growth: Despite their large size, barbel are quite a slow growing species, often taking five years to reach catchable size. Specimen barbel of ten pounds or more are likely to be twenty years old. Although we do not know the maximum longevity of barbel it is estimated that they can live for at least thirty years.
Hope this helps John.
 
In my experience... In the 'Wild', they grow quite slowly up until 5-6 years old when they would reach around 2-4lb depending if male or female. From there on, the females can put on around 1-1.5lbs a year and lengthen in its skeletal growth. So in reality, a female could make double figures or more by 10-12years old. When the skeletal growth slows and ends (around 12-13 years max, in my opinion) they will then fluctuate in weight each year via the girth (expand and contract) and some may/will build in stature and put on more weight (and also drop it) throughout their life....depending on food supply/nutrition, health, habitat etc. Remember, only a few grow into monsters...but the majority don't because they don't have the built in ability/potential to do so. Also, not all heavy barbel have a long skeletal length. 25-30 years old seems around their lifespan, but as you know, some will die a lot younger and others may live on to a very old age.
 
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