135g Peruvian biotope.

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Hahaha, I like that! Looking forward to the secret weapon you have in store I really liked the lighting and the contrast of colors in the picture; you must be studying the art of taking pictures huh?

I think that it's good that SDs are taking over the tank right now, it kind of shows the GTs who's the boss, or if not, that they are a force to be reckoned with, hahaha!

It's good to hear you got a hold of more information regarding your GTs. How long do you think the wait will be for the next alpha male? I do hope that's the same case for all GTs growing like weeds at 4-5 inches. Hammer and Jack have been growing, just at a really slow pace. I didn't know that the SDs were the same way, hahaha.

 

[GrantA94]

Hahaha, I like that! Looking forward to the secret weapon you have in store I really liked the lighting and the contrast of colors in the picture; you must be studying the art of taking pictures huh?

I think that it's good that SDs are taking over the tank right now, it kind of shows the GTs who's the boss, or if not, that they are a force to be reckoned with, hahaha!

It's good to hear you got a hold of more information regarding your GTs. How long do you think the wait will be for the next alpha male? I do hope that's the same case for all GTs growing like weeds at 4-5 inches. Hammer and Jack have been growing, just at a really slow pace. I didn't know that the SDs were the same way, hahaha.

Well, my girlfriend is a proffesional photographer. So she kinda taught me the basics and let me borrow her ametuer camera. All the pictures were taken by me though, no cheating!

The GTs are still by far the bosses! When food is on the sand the GTs will not let anything near to it! But whilst its sinking its open game for the hungry dollars!

I think you misread, or I didn't clarify, The true GTs grow upto 4-5" really fast then slow down, not the other way around. The SDs have a similar growth pattern, from what I have seen already!

I believe I already have an alpha male, i believe i may already have a pair starting to bond. The behaviour would indicate such anyway. Of the three the sizes are: one at 2.5" TL, one at 2.25" TL and one at 2" TL. As a rough measurement, the sizes may be larger/smaller but the intervals are the same. Anyway, the mid sized one (male) is most definately the alpha now, it runs the tank. It will follow the larger one around slowly (not aggressively chasing) and when the larger one (female) stops it will extend all its fins and begin to shake and headstand. Also, the mid sized one has an elongated body shape vs the larger one which is more rounded.

Were they saums, I would guarantee 100% male and female. But as little is known about the species its more difficult to be sure.

The smallest one of all got the bum deal really, neither of the others specifically attack it, but they don't play as nice as they do with eachother. So it could go either way in terms of sexing for this one.

I suspect although too small to breed they are laying the foundations. I will wait a few more weeks and give venting a go to be sure.

I have got some pictures that I will post tonight. Some demonstrate the extension of all the fins. Very handsome fishies

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

I see, you got my hopes up! What I believed from your post was that they only grew slow at 4"-5" but they grow fast before and after that length, hahaha.

I might start looking up some photography guides, any advice?

It's good that the bully passed sooner than later so the other GTs get to develop more while they're small; I don't think the next alpha gets to be that much more colorful later in it's life? Anyway, I think it helps that they're still young. I didn't know the females did the shaking thing too. If it were me, I would guess that the larger one would be male because it's trying to get the attention of the female. Unless of course, the male(midsize) is looking for a partner, it shows interest in one of the two females(assuming the largest and smallest are both females), so the larger female seals the deal? Hahaha, excuse my rambling.

Good luck on venting man, it seems that you have a pair though.

Post a lot of pics of all the fishies!

 

[GrantA94]

I see, you got my hopes up! What I believed from your post was that they only grew slow at 4"-5" but they grow fast before and after that length, hahaha.

I might start looking up some photography guides, any advice?

It's good that the bully passed sooner than later so the other GTs get to develop more while they're small; I don't think the next alpha gets to be that much more colorful later in it's life? Anyway, I think it helps that they're still young. I didn't know the females did the shaking thing too. If it were me, I would guess that the larger one would be male because it's trying to get the attention of the female. Unless of course, the male(midsize) is looking for a partner, it shows interest in one of the two females(assuming the largest and smallest are both females), so the larger female seals the deal? Hahaha, excuse my rambling.

Good luck on venting man, it seems that you have a pair though.

Post a lot of pics of all the fishies!

Sorry! They grow fast from 0-5" then slow! This is the 'True' GT's atleast, for saums I think its slow full stop!

Well, for photography, a dslr with external flash is what I use. High ISO, low F stop, about 1:60 shutter speed. But, it's best.just to play around! There are so many guides online you can't really go wrong!

However, for my latest pics (I will post after work), I had to use a telephoto (zoom) lense from the other side of the room, because the fish were rather skittish.

Again, I didn't make myself clear! (probably shouldn't write posts first thing in the morning!) It is the male (mid size) who Is displaying and following the female (largest size). Thats why I believe them to be M+F. I will try and get a video which would show it better than talking in riddles.

I have plenty of pictures, but I will have to downsize them as MFK has trouble processing the larger ones!

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Slow full stop?!

Interesting man, I just turn flash off and take pictures! Hahaha.

I reread it again and it was crystal clear; it's not you, its me! I was just tired from work I guess, hahaha.

I'm looking forward to a video!

 

[GrantA94]

Pictures

They are getting red in their fins , The pictures have flash so the colours are a little washed out, I will try add some without flash.

The female (Largest)The male (mid sized) showing to the largest (female)The male I believe.

Ps. the pics are quite blurry because I had to crop the excess - the zoom lense caused a lot of waste around the edges.

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Wow, finally more pictures! First thing I noticed was how fat and shiny the silver dollars are, you had to take a picture with food in their mouth huh? Their fins are looking good, not too nippy, I'm actually surprised their caudal fins are in better shape than their anal fins hahaha.

The white saums(correct me if I'm using the wrong term) are starting to show their stunning colors! They do look like they're on their breeding colors now with those white vertical bars on their body. Maybe it's because they are juvies still, but is that the stress bar(black horizontal line across the body)? My GTs have it occasionally during water changes. Your new alpha is on a different level from your first one but I'm sure that will change with time.

There's a high chance you'll have eggs the next time you do a 50% water change, assuming the trigger for them is the same to the more common GT.

I'm really curious as to how they progress, so keep everyone posted!

 

[GrantA94]

Wow, finally more pictures! First thing I noticed was how fat and shiny the silver dollars are, you had to take a picture with food in their mouth huh? Their fins are looking good, not too nippy, I'm actually surprised their caudal fins are in better shape than their anal fins hahaha.

The white saums(correct me if I'm using the wrong term) are starting to show their stunning colors! They do look like they're on their breeding colors now with those white vertical bars on their body. Maybe it's because they are juvies still, but is that the stress bar(black horizontal line across the body)? My GTs have it occasionally during water changes. Your new alpha is on a different level from your first one but I'm sure that will change with time.

There's a high chance you'll have eggs the next time you do a 50% water change, assuming the trigger for them is the same to the more common GT.

I'm really curious as to how they progress, so keep everyone posted!

I told you the SDs are pigs! They are as round as they are round if you get me? The anal fins are the only fins that are tatty atm, so hopefully they'll clean up.

They aren't white saums - white saums are exactly the same as golds but with a white edging. These are True GT's, thats the easy way to reference them. As for the horizontal line, it doesn't show when the flash is off - but it is a juvenile trait moreso than a stress one. What you referenced as breeding colours is their standard colours when mature along with a lot more green/blue. So I'm unsure whether its adult or breeding colouration.

I hope to get eggs soon, just so I know I have a M+F. I don't think they're quite ready size wise yet though, I think a couple of weeks more, then they'll be ready. Well hopefully anyway

I will keep you posted, and I'll try get the video uploaded, I experienced some issues with it last time. Thanks for checking in

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Hahaha, "round as they are round!" Who knows, balloon silver dollars?!

I was just wondering why they look like that since it would just be strange if they were stressed in your care. So is there any new development between your true GTs? I'm looking forward to seeing more coloration and those bright scales of theirs pop up.

Man, I'm sure with your current stock you could easily raise fry in that same tank too without any problems.

How's that video coming along?

I saw a couple of videos on them in youtube and they looked really cool already at 3"

 

[GrantA94]

Hahaha, "round as they are round!" Who knows, balloon silver dollars?!

I was just wondering why they look like that since it would just be strange if they were stressed in your care. So is there any new development between your true GTs? I'm looking forward to seeing more coloration and those bright scales of theirs pop up.

Man, I'm sure with your current stock you could easily raise fry in that same tank too without any problems.

How's that video coming along?

I saw a couple of videos on them in youtube and they looked really cool already at 3"

Haha, they are like golf balls with fins at the moment.

The two larger GTs look as though they are definate male and female. My issue is, the larger of the two (female) will eat plenty of food but the male (medium) will not - this is causing her to grow at a faster rate which has already been notable. So both the smallest and the middle one I thought may have had IP's. I have done the epsom on the food treatment with good success. Both fish are looking healthier and are eating more (or atleast I see them eat).

I tried a cool water change on sunday but no luck. I still think they are too small, but definately interested. When/if I get fry I will likely leave them with their parents until they need removing - not sure of times but I will study their parenting style. I have the sump or another tank for fry, either way I'd like to raise and sell a few. Not so much for profit but to get this species out there!

As for my SD's one of them contracted ick, so I have treated it with some super strength ick treatment. (1ml per 90litres of aquarium!). I did this because raising the temp wasn't an option (the true GTs don't do well in temps 25* +). Anyway, were 5days into the treatment and all is looking good.

I have watched all of the youtube videos... EVERY SINGLE ONE!!

No luck on getting mine uploaded, I am trying though. When I have a little more spare time I'll give it a serious go!