Rapps Vieja Melanuras Trio

[Shaynelaymon]

Nice,i have a pair

 

[midasman714]

They are bifas, based on the red dots that distinct it from the solid color of melanura/synspillum. Yours have good color quality. How large are yours? Mine don' t color up until 4 to 5 inch, much later than melanura. See pcs of my juvies and adults
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...liari-10-nj-md-pa-pickup.678051/#post-7624763
Your melanura don't look synspillum based on the body shape and early coloring. The dark patches are variable and moody, sometime turns up to fill the entire body and this is why it is named melanomas. It's strange that dominant fish is darker and less colorful.

My bifas are only 3", just slightly smaller than the melanuras (whom are growing fast!). The colors on these guys are amazing considering size. Yours looks good too, especially the adult red coloration, very intense red.

They are not skittish or shy at all, whereas the melanuras are still slightly skittish, or cautious may be a better term. Loving them all!

 

[tiger15]

On a second look of your bias, their mouth seem to have a slight overbite. If so and they show faint partial vertical bars, they are not bifas but Hartwegi. There are multiple Viega species that have red head, including melanura, fenestratus, Hartwegi and guttulata, that are hard to tell apart.

 

[gclifishguy]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I do have a question:

I've had them for over a month now and they remain very shy. I do see improvement, however it's very minimal. I was thinking of adding more fish (trio currently in 125g with a 5" BP). Do you think this is a good idea or should I just be more patient? Water parameters are perfect with low nitrate levels.

Add some giant danios to get some action in the tank. I did that with my synspilum.

 

[Justin Holland]

Just pick up one this Saturday

 

[FishKing5]

Just pick up one this Saturday

That's a synspilum. Different then raps melanura from Guatemala. Much different

 

[midasman714]

Here's a quick video of these little guys.

I was debating on getting rid of the RBP however he does a real good job in intervening when they get territorial. This will probably work till they outgrow him, which at this rate won't be too long. Also won't be too long till they outgrow the 125. I'm in the hunt for a 240 as we speak.

 

[dan518]

There coming along nicely.

 

[FishKing5]

Here's a quick video of these little guys.

I was debating on getting rid of the RBP however he does a real good job in intervening when they get territorial. This will probably work till they outgrow him, which at this rate won't be too long. Also won't be too long till they outgrow the 125. I'm in the hunt for a 240 as we speak.

They look great! Yours look a lot more like the red head synspilum. I got the melanura from rapps as well but are much more orange and blue with a slight difference in the shape of the body. I'll share a pic today of mine to show the difference. They're about 3 to 3.5 inches now

 

[midasman714]

Here's a quick update:

They seem to be growing at a slower pace but it may be just me as I see them daily. They are doing well but could be better as they are out growing the 125 (too much nipping going around but nothing major). It's been hard finding a used 240 so I may end up buying new in a few months if I still have no luck.