Differences in growth between maturing and non‐maturing male Atlantic salmon, <i>Salmo salar</i> L., parr

Sibling male Atlantic salmon parr that matured tended to be the larger fish in January, but their monthly specific growth rates between January and July did not differ from those of non‐maturing fish. Maturing fish had lower condition factors in March, but greater increases in condition factor during April, exceeding those of non‐maturing males by May. In maturing males, feeding rates between July and September, and specific growth rates in August and September, were lower than those of immature fish. Consequently, the mean size of immatures equalled or exceeded that of maturing males by October. Maturation rates were strongly correlated with increases in mean condition factor only during April.