According to marine biologist Don Hammond, dolphin may be the fastest-growing wild fish in the ocean — or anywhere else.
“Dolphin can grow at the phenomenal rates of 1.3 to 2.7 inches in length per week,” Hammond said. “Studies have shown dolphin are capable of reaching a body length of four feet and a weight of 40 pounds in less than 12 months, although that’s top end. No surprisingly, males were found to grow at a faster rate than females and weigh as much as 20 percent more per given length and reach a larger size at equal ages.”
Hammond said growth rates will vary, but typically, a year-old dolphin can average about 25 pounds, and a 2-year-old dolphin can have an average weight around 40 pounds.
“They will grow larger in these time frames, but typically, 3-year-old dolphin are about as old as they get. In our 10 years of study we know of one fish that was four years old. A 3-year-old bull can be 60 pounds or larger, but the females often top out at around 40 pounds.
“But that’s a lot of fish growth in a very short time. They have a very high metabolic rate and they are all about eating, all the time. Which is one reason fishermen love to fish for them.”
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