Save a FATF from death/ Grow Out

[Rotaryp04s]

Now that he's starting to eat, and that I've gotten to see him on my PC, I'm beginning to think that he's either really stunted or possibly a FATF. The skull structure doesn't look quite right, but I'll admit that could be an artifact of the way that the light, and therefore his image, is bent when passing through water both water, glass and air.

Take a look at the below picture, since you can see him in person, and tell me which set of heads he looks more similar to in your opinion:

View attachment 979680

I want to say the top pics, is the body shape different of the two when small? Because when I first saw it back in the summer time and now he starting to put weight on he's more build in the upper half but solid all the way around kinda round shape( if that make any sense) we will know for sure tomorrow. I will confirm the space between the mouth and eyes.

 

[Chicxulub]

I want to say the top pics, is the body shape different of the two when small? Because when I first saw it back in the summer time and now he starting to put weight on he's more build in the upper half but solid all the way around kinda round shape( if that make any sense) we will know for sure tomorrow. I will confirm the space between the mouth and eyes.

The body shape is essentially the same for both at this size. The key differences for this size of fish are the size of the head in relation to the body and the eyes to jaw ratio from above. The adipose fin will also be different in color as you can see; but your fish may not be healthy enough yet to show enough pigment for this to be a useful diagnostic trait. When they're healthy, a fatf will have a grey to very dark grey adipose fin. Brevis will have a jet black adipose fin that sometimes has a grey (or clear when younger) outer margin. When the fish gets bigger, the dorsal fin is a useful diagnostic trait as well. A fatf will have a dorsal fin that is well in front of the pelvic fin insertion, a brevis' dorsal fin will be right at the insertion or slightly behind.

Note how you can see those differences illustrated in this comparison of the two species:




These two species are nightmarishly difficult to tell apart when small; your fish being so emaciated is NOT making the issue easier.

Unquestionably diagnostic is the number of scales that are between the pelvic fin insertion and lateral line, though at the size of your fish, that may well be impossible to count.

 

[sashimimaster]

Yes, frozen nightcrawlers and dead rosys would be considered non live. I just assumed that for you to fatten him up you were feeding live. But that's great.

 

[Rotaryp04s]

Yes, frozen nightcrawlers and dead rosys would be considered non live. I just assumed that for you to fatten him up you were feeding live. But that's great.

When he was super skinny, he had a hard time catching live rosy reds so I just crush the rosy head and threw them in and he ate it. I would chop the night crawlers and freeze it, it would also eat it, it not a picky eater from the start but I guess being starve for so long help.

 

[Rotaryp04s]

what you guys think BATF or FATF?

 

[sashimimaster]

When he was super skinny, he had a hard time catching live rosy reds so I just crush the rosy head and threw them in and he ate it. I would chop the night crawlers and freeze it, it would also eat it, it not a picky eater from the start but I guess being starve for so long help.

Hmmm, then that would only count as half non live. lol It's good that he doesn't have to have live but bad in that it's still feeders. Have you tried pellets at all?

 

[Rotaryp04s]

Hmmm, then that would only count as half non live. lol It's good that he doesn't have to have live but bad in that it's still feeders. Have you tried pellets at all?

I seem hit a few pellets but spits it right out. I haven't really tried, I was just glad it was eating.

 

[RampageRR]

I would personally get him as plump as possible, then worry about the pellet training. I don't have the courage to starve a fish that was so emaciated that recently. If he does take pellets but spits them out, maybe keep offering them alongside your normal feeding routine and see if he starts fully eating them. If he's hitting them at all, he's pretty close to taking them.

 

[Chicxulub]

If he does take pellets but spits them out, maybe keep offering them alongside your normal feeding routine and see if he starts fully eating them. If he's hitting them at all, he's pretty close to taking them.

+1.

The only thing I'd add is to try the pellets first just to see if you can get a reactionary strike out of him.

 

[Miguel]

Great job, Man! This is what it is all about.

And Rob, always impressive knowledge.

+ 1 on the pellets. Pellets taken and spat out is already a recognition that it is food. Keep adding some.