Con Solo the Convict

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100th reply lol
 
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Tried my best to get a size measurement with a ruler. I’d say I was semi successful 😆. Hard to get a picture of his side profile when he’s either looking directly at me or trying to get a taste of the ruler.
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I think these were the two best pics I got below.
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Not perfect I know but I’d estimate he’s around the 4 1/4 inch range right now. Maybe slightly larger, I definitely wouldn’t say 4 1/2 inches quite yet. Still surprising to me considering he was probably a little over 3 inches when I got him.
He definitely isn’t growing fast by any stretch of the imagination but I wouldn’t say it’s unbelievably slow growth like I’ve read in others’ experience.
 
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Another pic with everyone in it. Plus Solo showing off his purplish blue belly and red fins.

Something I noticed during yesterday’s water change that I thought was interesting and a little funny. So while I was filling the tank back up one of the female swordtails was picking at what I’m guessing was some algae that was on the intake (the swordtails are surprisingly good at cleaning algae off the decor). The entire time that the swordtail was picking at the intake I noticed Solo was watching very closely, like he was curious what the swordtail was doing. It might have been only a few moments after the swordtail swam away when Solo began doing the same. I just thought it was really interesting. I love the inquisitive and curious nature of this little fish.
 
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View attachment C3B54143-3377-4ABC-8CCE-A1055EB5D7FA.jpegStill have no idea what I’m doing with this new camera 😆. But, I’m learning little by little and I have to be honest, it’s very exciting. Here’s some of my favorites of Con Solo from the past few days. I have a lot to learn, but that usually only makes me obsess even more😅.

And what the hell, completely unrelated to the thread but here’s one of a squirrel I got on the backyard shed with the telephoto lens lol.
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B0BD7227-507B-4E62-88D6-05295276A705.jpegSo it looks like the largest male swordtail has some kind of white patch on his head. I don’t know for sure what it is, but my initial guess is it’s an injury. I had this sword turn male a couple of months back, it has grown like a weed and become extremely dominant. He’s been slowly getting more and more aggressive with the other, slightly smaller, male. To the point where I will probably have remove one of them. Maybe he hit his head one of the harder pieces of decor chasing the smaller male? Just a guess. Whatever it is, it’s my first time with an issue like this, I’d love some advice on what I should be doing as of right now to ensure the safety of everyone in the tank. Water parameters are all good as well.
 
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Closer pics would help, but it does appear to be an injury. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t get infected.
 
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Looks like injury to me as well, though you should monitor the fish in case the white stuff grows (indicative of fungal infections).

Anyways, I love your setup. Central American cichlids + swordtails is always a W setup for me because it replicates a natural environment and also looks aesthetically pleasing.
 
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Looks like injury to me as well, though you should monitor the fish in case the white stuff grows (indicative of fungal infections).

Anyways, I love your setup. Central American cichlids + swordtails is always a W setup for me because it replicates a natural environment and also looks aesthetically pleasing.
Thank you for the advice and kind words. It’s been a very enjoyable tank. Plenty of activity while still remaining very manageable. And the convict has turned into an amazing little wet pet.
 
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