Strauchii larvae - unequal growth rates?

Hi all,
update on my strauchii larvae: they are doing well, mostly. An interesting phenomenon has emerged, however:

I have 2 batches of larvae, about 2 -3 weeks apart, presumably from 2 different layings by 2 females. I have 2 males so the fathers may be different too.

In the second (younger) batch all grow at approximately the same rate, give or take a small percentage.

In the first(older) batch however, half of the larvae stopped growing a while ago while the other half soldiered on merrily and are now 3-4 times bigger than the stragglers.

how come?

the natural assumption would be that the stragglers aren't eating, but that's not the case. When I add food (chopped blackworms, bloodworms and earthworms) I can clearly see them eat and fill their bellies - they just won't grow anymore.

So, the predictable thing has started to happen: some of the stragglers have been eaten by their bigger siblings. Oh well, I figure that's Mama Nature's way, and fine with me since these stragglers clearly have something wrong with them and I assume they might not make it to metamorphosis anyways.

I wonder if the stragglers could have inherited a bum gene that hampers their growth. I'm wondering if anyone else raising strauchii has seen a similar phenomenon?

I have attached pics of both batches, taken a couple weeks ago - the size differences in the unequal batch have only increased since then.

You should separate the smaller ones from the bigger ones. While I agree that it's a good way of Mother Nature to eliminate the weaker ones they might of had a good chance of surviving and being healthy. It is a bit weird that they are growing at different rates. If they are all eating the same amount. Do you have all your adults in 1 tank, how big is your group and how big is the tank? Regardless congrats on your eggs and offspring

Crazy, I've never had a growth discrepancy like that. Every year there are always a few over achievers that outpace their siblings but that is remarkable. I would most likely have culled them too.

just a quick update: the remaining larvae did very well and grew into fine strapping lil newtlets, now all morphed and kept aquatically. They eat everything and look great. Will post pics soon!