Do super red bellies colors fade?

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piscavore pisces

piscavore pisces

Candiru
MFK Member
Nov 23, 2005
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I was looking at the prices for super red bellies and they're a lot higher than regular natts. I know normally colors tend to fade away with age on pygos so does that apply to the super red variety as well? Because if so I'd rather spend the money on more caribe..

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Mike thats what I figured but wanted to see if anybody had first hand experience. They sure look nice as juvies but not worth the extra $ in the end if they all end up looking the same.

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Aren't super reds just wild caught and not tank raised?
 
kevbc03 said:
Aren't super reds just wild caught and not tank raised?
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From my research it is collection point, being that different places produce different color variants. Here's a good article from OPEFE:



The common name Super Red is meaningless for any specific P. nattereri since these fish can be highly colored in dark red or reddish-orange within its range. The common name has been applied to fish from Peru. A look at the geographical forms of P. nattereri can show that some are more brilliant than others. This color can also be lost during the fishes growth in your aquarium or a dealer's tank as the fish matures. The dealer who coined that name for his fish was probably unaware (at the time) this name could apply to a number of species. It is a relatively new name in the piranha hobby and it is indeed foolish to just attach it to just one locality of P. nattereri.

As for the reticulated P. nattereri, this feature is found on some but not all of the fishes from the middle Amazon. If one wanted to call this a Snakeskin, then that would be fine for a common name so long as the person understands that feature is eventually lost behind the brilliant scales. For some unknown reason, this name was eventually grouped with Super Red. Again its value is a minor concern. The real value in these wild fishes is the fact they are wild and can replenish a diminished gene pool if you are into breeding piranhas. Some people collect solely for their beauty (which is what I do). Others because they are "wild" and in that there is value.

The important thing for everyone to remember is BE INFORMED and don't blame dealers if they use a common name. It's up to you, the consumer, to know the difference.





I personally wouldn't buy into it, however I do think a shoal of wc rbp would be rad!
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Buying "super reds" or even very small wild reds is really up to the personal tastes of the person looking to buy. If youre a breeder and want some fresh genes to vary your shoal and offspring, then buying 1" wild reds is a fine choice. If the keeper wants brilliant coloration, then the "super reds" may be what they want (til they get older of course where they'll darken up significantly or even go into breeding colors.) That said, personally, I've been big on shape/head size more than color or common names/labels. To get what I want, the best bet would be to buy larger caught wild reds.

But its really up to the individual to weight the options and make the best choice. Thats the beauty of fish keeping after all, no one has to like your tank or fish but you.
 
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