Apperance of Siamese tiger (Datnioides Microlepis)

[Im4u2nV]

Hi all,

I saw 3 Datnioides Microlepis for sale in one my lfs....

my problem is:

1. One specimen looks absolutely perfect...the bar is full and dark..and if i'm buying them...this one would be taken for sure..

2. The other two were different story...although one of them is bigger then the perfect specimen...both have stripes that are NOT full and dark...the middle stripes is somewhat missing although the body and other stripes remain dark and colourful...

3. i know for example clown loaches have different marking..some of them have different spot...what about datnioides?

the questions is:

1. How come the stripes is not full? is this temporary or the fish is actually like that? some speciment have full stripes, others have missing stripes?

2. Does the fish considered 'damage' / imperfect / or normal?

please respons asap coz i'm thingking of purchasing them...

 

[moxxommox]

if they are not bobbing or swimming on their side, I would get 'em!

they should turn out alright, it's like most fish with bars, you always get different ones!

there are always runts and odd fish around, because people dont buy 'em!

 

[twk1]

If they are swimming perfectly and acting healthy and your not a picky person and don't mind about the appearance then just buy them, but if your a picky person about your fish and really care about the fishes markings and the way they look then don't buy.

 

[Im4u2nV]

thx for the response

unfortunately....i AM a picky person and do care about their markings...lol

will the markings 'grow' when the fish got older? ie: will become fully marked after certain age / growing?

the problem is datnioiedes are considered somewhat rare in my area and thus is very seldom to see them offered in lfs...and the price is relatively high as well...

i'm considering only taking the perfect speciment and wait till others ' perfect speciment' available...but it's not set on stone though...i might change my mind after watching them more thorough..and the quantity offered is always small...right now they only have 3 for sale...being 1 is the perfect speciment...that's why i might purchased them all..

 

[Datnoid101]

Sometimes the bars might not be visible or light because the fish might be stressed. They are probably being picked on. The appearance of fish in a pet store and at home in your tank are two different things. Like night and day. And lots of times, wierd lines/bars might correct themselves with age and growth. I say go for it. Sometimes it's nice to have something different. It might become your favorite. And if they are hard to come by, you can always turn around and sell them.

 

[Euge]

Sometimes the bars might not be visible or light because the fish might be stressed. They are probably being picked on. The appearance of fish in a pet store and at home in your tank are two different things. Like night and day. And lots of times, wierd lines/bars might correct themselves with age and growth. I say go for it. Sometimes it's nice to have something different. It might become your favorite. And if they are hard to come by, you can always turn around and sell them.

i agree

 

[Steve_89]

There are plenty of bar variations in datnoids...some can be quite unique.

If they were unique bars id grab them.

 

[Im4u2nV]

i agree as well....especially part about selling them if i don't like them after seeing them in my tank...

selling them will be pretty slow though because of the high price...not many people would buy them on a whim...unless they're hobbyist...

i'll see the dats again on the weekend and watch them carefully for any sign of diseease / stress... and who know...i might buy them then

thx for all the suggestion and info guys..really appreciate them..

 

[ewurm]

I say get them. They sound cool to me.