Dorado ID thread prep: How YOU can help.....
- Thread starter Chicxulub
- Start date
Rob- what other kind of info could be useful?
As far as growth rates my bigger ones only put on about 1/2" /month, had them for a year. I know they grow much faster in groups or as the dominant fish in the tank, as opposed to a small group or pair that likes to bicker. Seem to grow in spurts.
I can't speculate on the Argy's growth rate yet, but it does seem much faster then the others. Fins appear redder and head shape seems different. Seems to be a much more aggressive eater, and seems more active then the common ones. Will definitely get some better pics when I move him within the next month or so, once it's bigger then the Odoe. Up to this point the Argy is the fastest growing fish I've ever raised.
As far as growth rates my bigger ones only put on about 1/2" /month, had them for a year. I know they grow much faster in groups or as the dominant fish in the tank, as opposed to a small group or pair that likes to bicker. Seem to grow in spurts.
I can't speculate on the Argy's growth rate yet, but it does seem much faster then the others. Fins appear redder and head shape seems different. Seems to be a much more aggressive eater, and seems more active then the common ones. Will definitely get some better pics when I move him within the next month or so, once it's bigger then the Odoe. Up to this point the Argy is the fastest growing fish I've ever raised.
Impressive on the Argy, DB.
What I would like is help finding species that could be confused with a Dorado; species like Brycons and maybe Chalceus. I know there's probably more look alikes, but those are the only two I can think of.
Something else I'd really like for you to tackle DB, if you're willing, is to type up a care sheet for Dorados to be included in the sticky. I could do it but I feel it would be pretentious to type up a care sheet on a fish I've only read about but never kept. The care section in the ATF sticky covers the type of information I'd like to see covered. You don't have to worry about formatting it to be pretty, I'll take care of that, I just need your experience in words.
Thanks brother.
Rob
What I would like is help finding species that could be confused with a Dorado; species like Brycons and maybe Chalceus. I know there's probably more look alikes, but those are the only two I can think of.
Something else I'd really like for you to tackle DB, if you're willing, is to type up a care sheet for Dorados to be included in the sticky. I could do it but I feel it would be pretentious to type up a care sheet on a fish I've only read about but never kept. The care section in the ATF sticky covers the type of information I'd like to see covered. You don't have to worry about formatting it to be pretty, I'll take care of that, I just need your experience in words.
Thanks brother.
Rob
Here's the four categories I'd like covered at minimum:
General Housing Requirements
Feeding
Furniture
Compatibility
Heres the link to the ATF care sheet to reference:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...(Hydrocynus)&p=6237131&viewfull=1#post6237131
General Housing Requirements
Feeding
Furniture
Compatibility
Heres the link to the ATF care sheet to reference:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...(Hydrocynus)&p=6237131&viewfull=1#post6237131
Look at my track record with Characins... My experiences are anything but typical. Don't think it would be wise to put me in charge of recommending things.
My Dorados' growth rates are a fraction (1/4) of what other members are, obviously they're doing something different, and may be better off offering up advice. I've never had a problem with Dorado being aggressive towards tank mates, other members have had entire tanks ravaged by them.
I wish there wasn't so much pressure with this Argy. Makes it really tough to justify pushing boundries with such a rare fish. Paranoid to keep it with anything but baby rays.... lol
I'd be more then happy to participate, but I'm willing to guess that just like the Payara captive care guide I helped with, my experience might differ so much that it could be viewed as irrelevant.
My Dorados' growth rates are a fraction (1/4) of what other members are, obviously they're doing something different, and may be better off offering up advice. I've never had a problem with Dorado being aggressive towards tank mates, other members have had entire tanks ravaged by them.
I wish there wasn't so much pressure with this Argy. Makes it really tough to justify pushing boundries with such a rare fish. Paranoid to keep it with anything but baby rays.... lol
I'd be more then happy to participate, but I'm willing to guess that just like the Payara captive care guide I helped with, my experience might differ so much that it could be viewed as irrelevant.
Well in my opinion, you've been quite successful with the Dorados. After all, you've managed to avoid having your tank wiped out. If you ask me, that means you're doing something right.
Most people I've talked to seem to report similar growth rates to what you've observed as well for their Frankies.
If you could, write up your take on the care portion and PM it to me. I'll use what I can.
Most people I've talked to seem to report similar growth rates to what you've observed as well for their Frankies.
If you could, write up your take on the care portion and PM it to me. I'll use what I can.
DB, Mr. Modest! IMO payara are a very different animal than payara, and, regardless of what others say, I believe to be a very difficult and fragile fish to keep, so I wouldn't hold your ability to house characins solely on your payara problems .... I'm down 4 myself, so I'm on an 80% death streak, and still consider myself an expert! 
lol!
Anyway, don't push the Argy faster than you think is right, IMO Dorado's can handle a smaller tank much better than ATF's or Payara and still grow, so with 350+shipping I wouldn't rush anything just to make him grow fast .... I'm very interested in how he will look at a foot and then 2 feet! Hahaha, so don't be so hard on yourself, your knowledge of fish keeping is obviously greater than most, and all the advice you've given me directly and indirectly has been very good advice and has helped me a great deal!
Just saying ....
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lol!Anyway, don't push the Argy faster than you think is right, IMO Dorado's can handle a smaller tank much better than ATF's or Payara and still grow, so with 350+shipping I wouldn't rush anything just to make him grow fast .... I'm very interested in how he will look at a foot and then 2 feet! Hahaha, so don't be so hard on yourself, your knowledge of fish keeping is obviously greater than most, and all the advice you've given me directly and indirectly has been very good advice and has helped me a great deal!
Just saying ....
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Meant payara are a very different animal than Dorado* .... maybe I should begin proofreading .....
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Thanks for the kind words guys.
I will definitely agree, Dorado, as well as wolves are on a way different levels as far as care. Much less to worry about, tougher, and handle our glass cages with better awareness.
I had great luck with my 1st non Hydrolycus Payara....... Haven't ever seen a similar sized one grown up in a private tank. That thing was old too, if life expectancy is like Odoe (thought to be 5 years) is was very long lived. It could have been full grown WC size if it was male. *Fed mostly live.
I still think we're not doing something right with the Hydrolycus, has to be water conditions or food, not sure what else it could be.
I've had great luck with Rhaphiodons,Cynopotomus, Brycon, Dorado, Aimara, Chelceus, and Odoe. Yet have still never kept a single ATF....
It's just them stinkin Hydrolycus that all die, BUT my rays don't breed regularly either, so there's definitely room for LOTS of improvement as far as making fish happy here.
As far as the Argy goes I know as much right now as everyone else.... lol. Hope it turns into the monster I believe it will and answer all the unanswered "golden" Dorado questions, but for all we know it could just be another plain old Dorado, just overpriced with a funny looking head. I'm in no rush to grow it up fast, just want to get it in with some other fish while it's young. I feel like I'm breaking the cardinal rule of Characin communities raising it alone All I have here in similar size range is some Balas (which I know doesn't work 1 on 1 with Dorado) and a group of 9 Odoe. The Odoe range from smaller to bigger then the Argy. But the Argy swims alot. 9 on 1 isn't gonna be a long fight if they decide to vote him off the island.
I'll try to get something together for you soon Rob!
I'm still waiting for someone else to come forward that got an Argy. Surely there's at least 3 more out there...... Wonder if they all went to 1 guy that also has a bad history with Armatus.....
I will definitely agree, Dorado, as well as wolves are on a way different levels as far as care. Much less to worry about, tougher, and handle our glass cages with better awareness.
I had great luck with my 1st non Hydrolycus Payara....... Haven't ever seen a similar sized one grown up in a private tank. That thing was old too, if life expectancy is like Odoe (thought to be 5 years) is was very long lived. It could have been full grown WC size if it was male. *Fed mostly live.
I still think we're not doing something right with the Hydrolycus, has to be water conditions or food, not sure what else it could be.
I've had great luck with Rhaphiodons,Cynopotomus, Brycon, Dorado, Aimara, Chelceus, and Odoe. Yet have still never kept a single ATF....
It's just them stinkin Hydrolycus that all die, BUT my rays don't breed regularly either, so there's definitely room for LOTS of improvement as far as making fish happy here.As far as the Argy goes I know as much right now as everyone else.... lol. Hope it turns into the monster I believe it will and answer all the unanswered "golden" Dorado questions, but for all we know it could just be another plain old Dorado, just overpriced with a funny looking head. I'm in no rush to grow it up fast, just want to get it in with some other fish while it's young. I feel like I'm breaking the cardinal rule of Characin communities raising it alone
All I have here in similar size range is some Balas (which I know doesn't work 1 on 1 with Dorado) and a group of 9 Odoe. The Odoe range from smaller to bigger then the Argy. But the Argy swims alot. 9 on 1 isn't gonna be a long fight if they decide to vote him off the island. I'll try to get something together for you soon Rob!
I'm still waiting for someone else to come forward that got an Argy. Surely there's at least 3 more out there...... Wonder if they all went to 1 guy that also has a bad history with Armatus.....
Thanks for the kind words guys.
I will definitely agree, Dorado, as well as wolves are on a way different levels as far as care. Much less to worry about, tougher, and handle our glass cages with better awareness.
I had great luck with my 1st non Hydrolycus Payara....... Haven't ever seen a similar sized one grown up in a private tank. That thing was old too, if life expectancy is like Odoe (thought to be 5 years) is was very long lived. It could have been full grown WC size if it was male. *Fed mostly live.
I still think we're not doing something right with the Hydrolycus, has to be water conditions or food, not sure what else it could be.
I've had great luck with Rhaphiodons,Cynopotomus, Brycon, Dorado, Aimara, Chelceus, and Odoe. Yet have still never kept a single ATF....
As far as the Argy goes I know as much right now as everyone else.... lol. Hope it turns into the monster I believe it will and answer all the unanswered "golden" Dorado questions, but for all we know it could just be another plain old Dorado, just overpriced with a funny looking head. I'm in no rush to grow it up fast, just want to get it in with some other fish while it's young. I feel like I'm breaking the cardinal rule of Characin communities raising it alone
I'll try to get something together for you soon Rob!
I'm still waiting for someone else to come forward that got an Argy. Surely there's at least 3 more out there...... Wonder if they all went to 1 guy that also has a bad history with Armatus.....
Wes never got back to me about that. I asked for one but the lack of an answer I took as his way of saying he sold them all.
I have supreme confidence that your fish is exactly what Wes said it was, a Salminus brasiliensis (aka maxillosus). It has the look perfectly and I have no doubt that it will eventually develop a very nice golden color. It is my observation that wild caught fish with the best color come from black water. On the other hand, there are also a bunch that appear to come from upland whitewater streams which would explain why your fish is handling the liquid rock so well.
The franciscanus are from the Amazon basin and I suspect they need soft, acidic, black water just like every other Amazon fish.
I know its generally suggested to keep tetras in groups, but I personally feel that all of the apex predator characins; GATF, BATF, TATF, Argies, Armies, etc., are all probably better off as a sole specimen surrounded by predators from a lower trophic level and/or predators who occupy a different niche and who are not direct competitors.
