I don't own monster bichirs like you guys i'm not a rookie but i'm not a pro. But my buettikoferi is about 4 inches and when i got him he was very dark with his coloration his patterns were brownish. But i've had him for about a month now and he has lightened up. He isn't as light as i anticipated but thats because he's still a juvi. I've heard they become lighter and start to get a good lighter green once they mature a little. What actually surprised me is that i have a senegalus that looks like he is pushing 7-8 inches. But when i measured him he was 4.5 inches. LOL he has serious girth for a small timer man. Believe it or not my buettikoferi is about a .5 difference you would've never guessed. Because my buettikoferi is wild caught so he doesn't come out to get food every time i put it out. I would love to post picks but something just doesn't work for me and pictures just don't show up. I would if i could though. I'm waiting for my small ones to turn to the godzillas they are lol.