Ok, let me jump in, I bought this as a black, it was 40cm when it arrived, now is pussing towards 70cm. Everything looks normal, fins, lower lips, eyes, tails, and barbels. I owned a silver before, kept it till about 80cm and I let it go due to problems with my pond. Both silver n black looks different, but also similiar, due to the fact that they are all look alike. I noticed my silver has a wider head shape, and brighter body color. Its true that they develop pinkies color, I saw these when I put the silver in pond for years, which showed its natural color. Then, sooner later, this black arrived, with much slender/smaller head shape, darker tone color on the body, yet, I also noticed black stripes on the fins. The tank you guys see is on the terrace, which is the only spot I could build a tank that size (250cm x 80cm x 80cm), it gets so much glare during the day, but no direct sunlights. There is semi transparent roofing on top/ shading which block rains and suns. As you guys can see, it is a barebottom tank, with transparent glass all around, which is I preffrered. There is noway I could take a clearer shot, unless I install lighting on top, which is of course has to be really bright, yet, I wouldnt do it.
So, it is what it is, there is no drop eye on the fish, and there are darker tones on top of its body. Also, the end tails shape is narrower than the silver I owned. Some may say that this is a silver, but I dont mind, because they look the same. Maybe this fish looks different if the tank was all painted black around, bit I wouldnt do it. cheers.
