Manacapuru or Nanay

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IMO the colors on both of those pics have been played with. The blue on Rio Nanay is more of a sheen or iridescence and is noticeable when they turn or go from differing spots of light intensity(moving through plants.) I currently have tank raised manacapuru and the red is more of a gold brown color. Both very pretty angels, but I would lean toward Rio Nanay
 
IMO the colors on both of those pics have been played with. The blue on Rio Nanay is more of a sheen or iridescence and is noticeable when they turn or go from differing spots of light intensity(moving through plants.) I currently have tank raised manacapuru and the red is more of a gold brown color. Both very pretty angels, but I would lean toward Rio Nanay

There's a video on YouTube showing the first pic of the red shoulders and they are really that bright. But that quality is rare and u won't see them in the states. 2nd pic is more lighting. But they do get that blue when fully matured and add better lighting they do look like that. However, not all nanays look the same. Some have more yellow and spots and some dont.

I do believe water plays a big part. All the nice quality ones are usually either in Europe or Asia. I believe water quality in those countries are better than the states. Based on my observations when I come across nice angels. Even altums, all the huge nice ones I see are from Europe or Asia.
 
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There's a video on YouTube showing the first pic of the red shoulders and they are really that bright. But that quality is rare and u won't see them in the states. 2nd pic is more lighting. But they do get that blue when fully matured and add better lighting they do look like that. However, not all nanays look the same. Some have more yellow and spots and some dont.

I do believe water plays a big part. All the nice quality ones are usually either in Europe or Asia. I believe water quality in those countries are better than the states. Based on my observations when I come across nice angels. Even altums, all the huge nice ones I see are from Europe or Asia.
I’ve seen YouTube videos of some Rainbowfish in Asia too with highly questionable colors - suspiciously bright. If that’s the way they look in person, I’d LOVE to know the secret.

To piggyback off your water/water quality statement, substrate plays a big part as well. I always use light pool filter sand, which can contribute to lighter colors. One of these days, I’ll try black sand
 
I’ve seen YouTube videos of some Rainbowfish in Asia too with highly questionable colors - suspiciously bright. If that’s the way they look in person, I’d LOVE to know the secret.

To piggyback off your water/water quality statement, substrate plays a big part as well. I always use light pool filter sand, which can contribute to lighter colors. One of these days, I’ll try black sand

Speaking of rainbow fish. I'm getting into them and recently bought some boesemani. And been looking at tons of videos. And there's no secret for their color to be bright. It's just how they are. They are slow growers and they get brighter as they age so it's no secret. When young they look dull but once they mature after few years their colors just gets better with age. They just take years for that bright color to come out. And only the males display that vibrant colors. I am thinking hard of sell my other fish and get into rainbows. Their color when mature is unfreaking believable.
 
Although rainbows are not my favorite fish, they are alright. Boesemanis are cool for sure -

"...When young they look dull but once they mature after few years their colors just gets better with age.."

Yes, but also --> After full adulthood (3-5 years,) they begin the decline in coloration and appeal, becoming more grayish than blue or yellow, even if in good health. They can easily live 10 years if well cared.
 
Never heard of rainbow fish color get dull after 3-5 years. Everything I've read says their colors get better with age. at 3-5 years is where their colors should be very bright. Even gerry Lange the expert in rainbow fish says the same. He has rainbow fish that are 10+ years and they are still very colorful. Maybe you're mistaken the females. As they are not very colorful. And males color up at certain time of the day. Some in the morning to late after noon or when they get into breeding mode. Their colors change with their moods. All the big rainbows ive seen on youtube that are huge and colorful are atleast 3+ year old and colorful.

3-5 years old, this vid is 1 year old. He still has them now. And they look even more impressive


Gerry lange fish room tour. Most of his fish are prob 3+ years old

 
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There's a video on YouTube showing the first pic of the red shoulders and they are really that bright. But that quality is rare and u won't see them in the states. 2nd pic is more lighting. But they do get that blue when fully matured and add better lighting they do look like that. However, not all nanays look the same. Some have more yellow and spots and some dont.

I do believe water plays a big part. All the nice quality ones are usually either in Europe or Asia. I believe water quality in those countries are better than the states. Based on my observations when I come across nice angels. Even altums, all the huge nice ones I see are from Europe or Asia.

i know someone imports good quality angels and some of the red shoulders ($$$) from Czech to Wisconsin from time to time. I might bite after reading this thread giving me confidence to put in an order and see how the group develops that redness im fond of more of a brown tone in the stripes but again this europe thing you might be right on about their quality of the red might be better than here. Im a hour and half drive from the importer. Might play around with the idea of trying this out in the spring / summer 2022
 
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