In nature there are to many variables such as food souce, oxygen in the water, optimal water temps and so on which may create a genetically enhanced fish. These fish may appear bigger compared to fish from another area of a pond, stream, river, what have you. I for one cannot tell by looking at a fish whether it is an older fish or just a healthy fish do to nature. Whereas in a lab, you could raise a fish from conception and track growth and age but, if you place the lab fish along side the natural fish, would you be able to tell the age of the natural fish based on comparison? I don't think so.

I love reading this post and hopefully I may learn how to actually age a fish properly