Dormitator update...still looks like a maculatus, but also still not quite...

[knifegill]

Well, it's been some time. He's doing a good job of getting rid of the mollies for me, and eats every evening any dry food I feed. He doesn't seem fond of earthworms. He hasn't grown an inch, but is now officially overweight. I'm calling short-body or disease on this guy, as he's morphologically deviant.

He's a camera hater, so these are the best I could get. Most of the ones I deleted were my angelfish's forehead pressed against the glass. The angel is a total bonehead for cameras. Anyway:

Any thoughts on the long-term health of this guy?

 

[knifegill]

Even fatter, but no length increase/

 

[knifegill]

Madding? Any thoughts?

 

[knifegill]

His fins are now taking on a very red hue! Oddball, we said that could mean d. latifrons, right?

 

[jworth]

It does look like Maculatus. Maybe it is a semi-short body . Looks healthy though. I really like these fish and had one for a short while.

 

[knifegill]

Oh, he's such a puppy! I can't believe how much he begs now that I've removed the sunfish from the tank. Still, his scales look a bit pineconed, always have. He had some kind of popping ulcers but they have apparently been resolved. And he's not as camera-shy as he used to be, either. Starting to grow some length-wise, so maybe he'll get to go into the 125g soon.

Still thinking maculatus, huh? Well, alright. Seems to be consensus most of the time. SB is possible. But his 'siblings' have all already passed the 8" mark, and look like footballs.

 

[knifegill]

UPDATE: He's now gaining length! Looks like he might grow up after all!

 

[knifegill]

He's about the same dimensions as a small fist now. Scales still look funny, almost dropsical, but I've accepted this as a constant. He's past the 5" mark for sure now. I sure did go the extra mile for this dying adoption fish and it's paid off big time. He is a serious beggar, I just haven't bothered to hand-feed him.

 

[Madding]

Definitely some sort of defect in the body shape but otherwise looks very neat and healthy! May not grow as large as a normal one though.

 

[knifegill]

I'm hoping he stays smaller. In spite of my love for pure, natural wild fish, the short-body defect is such a blessing. My SB paratilapia is doing well, too with the Oscar and I hope he doesn't get too huge.