Another RARE can of worms - Argentinian Big Head Dorado

[user134679]

I've seen dorados 18-24 inches that are still silver.

And some only 10 inches but already golden in color.

I believe tanning/ exposure to sunlight plays a big part in determining whether a dorado gets its lovely gold tone.



I've never seen anyone with a dorado that looks like this in an indoor tank.

I hope to be proven wrong

 

[dogofwar]

We didn't measure but I think it was closer to 2'...we caught another about the same size a little later that day.

I seem to recall Felipe saying that he has caught Dorado up to 100m inland (into Uruguay), so I'm sure there are some variations to the fish as they get isolated in smaller bodies of water than the big rivers.

We caught some in a pond in Bella Union, Uruguay (which is north on the Rio Uruguay of Salto, where these pics were taken). Basically the Rio Uruguay periodically floods and deposits larger river species (like Dorado, big cats, Prochilodus and Leporinus) in smaller bodies of water near it. Bella Union is in NW Uruguay where Uruguay meets Argentina and Brazil.

I was being a bit tongue and cheek about Argentinian and Uruguayan differences in dorados because, I think, people make too much of geographic borders vs. watersheds and natural barriers. It's not as if Mother Nature knows or cares where the arbitrary demarcation between Uruguay and Argentina (or Uruguay and Brazil) is. In the vicinity of the Rio Uruguay, there is the same distribution of fish as in Uruguay near the river (i.e. Gymnogeophagus, tetras, Crenicichla, Chanchitos, etc.)....

I don't think too many Uruguayan dudes would rock a turquoise thong to go fishing...Argentinians on the other hand...

That said, Argentina is a big place and I know very little about it's fish outside of the little area. It wouldn't surprise me if further south in Argentina (in Patagonia), there were really different varieties...but I honestly don't know.

Matt

So do you think these "big headed Argentinians" are just the same old Dorado? Can you elaborate?

How big is that one in the pics? 14-15"?

 

[DB junkie]

All I know is if it can happen to rays it can happen to fish.

Like I said there's still argument about Black Diamonds being a variant/different species then normal Leos, but the fact is there's a particular location that these sought after rays come from. My understanding is it doesn't mean every Leo coming from the Sao Felix is a BD, but all BDs do come from the Sao Felix.

Falkneri rays are the same way. The nice ones come from a particular location. Just like the Argy Dorados other countries have access to them on a regular basis, but they're never offered to us here in the states. I wonder if it's cause we are too cheap, or if we jump to assumptions and assume they aren't the real deal or if it's simply other countries are willing to pay more for these locational variants???

Sounds like the Argy Dorados gathering location will remain a mystery, as it sounds like this group was imported from China.

 

[FishOnCampus]

I have been convinced that the Argy dorado is different than the others that have been seen. Nice fish and pickup.
Can't wait to see it monster size.

 

[Peanut_Power]

You know, I just realized you guys weren't saying ANGRY dorados. . . .I was like. . .dude, they are all angry!

 

[Chicxulub]

You know, I just realized you guys weren't saying ANGRY dorados. . . .I was like. . .dude, they are all angry!

 

[DB junkie]

You know, I just realized you guys weren't saying ANGRY dorados. . . .I was like. . .dude, they are all angry!

I've had a few that aren't angry, if you check out the thread over in the media lounge called "Dorado monster or puddy cat" there's a vid there of one being chased by a goldfish, some that enjoyed synchronized swimming, and one living with Bala sharks small enough to eat......

You never told us where yours came from Peanut???

 

[丶妮莉艾露]

All I know is if it can happen to rays it can happen to fish.

Like I said there's still argument about Black Diamonds being a variant/different species then normal Leos, but the fact is there's a particular location that these sought after rays come from. My understanding is it doesn't mean every Leo coming from the Sao Felix is a BD, but all BDs do come from the Sao Felix.

Falkneri rays are the same way. The nice ones come from a particular location. Just like the Argy Dorados other countries have access to them on a regular basis, but they're never offered to us here in the states. I wonder if it's cause we are too cheap, or if we jump to assumptions and assume they aren't the real deal or if it's simply other countries are willing to pay more for these locational variants???

Sounds like the Argy Dorados gathering location will remain a mystery, as it sounds like this group was imported from China.

hi,man.In china,we also only have Salminus franciscanus from Brazil,mang people want to have Salminus brasiliensis,however, you know...

 

[DB junkie]

Funny this thread came up..... Maybe it's time to compare the "Big headed Argies" of years past to the newer MUCH cheaper ones????

I tried to get some locational info but never recieved a reply.

BUT I can take vids/pics IF anyone is interested... You guys can judge for yourself what they are??? Thought this was a good idea in the Hilari thread but don't think that thread made it more then a few pages. Apparently I'm the only one in love with managable Dorado that aren't A-holes...... lol.

Hell maybe for ****s and giggles we could test the theory that Brassies aren't A-holes by tossing a bunch of Hilari in with the "Brassies"???? Only problem with this is WHAT IF I have a group of Frankies instead of Brassies? Kinda hard to justify that kind of risk given how easy it would be to replace 7 Hilari..... BUT I should be able to trust the source that sold me the Dorado for correct ID shouldn't I?????

 

[BOREEK]

I know this Dorado not from Wes, but it's on my radar, just haven't pulled the trigger on it yet it's priced at $275 , 13"-13.5" any thoughts