dovii size

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I definitely thonk mels dovii fools you in size due to how thick and high bodied it is when it goes in that concrete cave it fully dissapears and thay cave isnt half the width of the tank no matter how long it is I only can dream my pair looks half as good as their parents in the video, im lucky to go to the store mel takes most of his fry from his many pairs
 
30" may be rare in the hobby because people either get rid of their Dovii once it shreds their other fish or they are kept in inadequate sized aquariums and conditions. But even at 19"-22", that is a massive fish to keep properly. I think that stating the largest known size of a captive Dovii is good in practice because those extra inches could be just enough to keep some Dovii out of the hands of people that just don't have the means to keep such a large fish. There are already too many people cramming them in 55 and 75 gallon tanks. Mel's Dovii is an exceptional specimen. It's proof of the hard work and rigorous maintenance that Mel performs on all of his tanks. Maybe one day we will know its exact measurements.
 
I see what you mean but most people starting this hobby aren't really ready or equipped to keep a Dovii. But I don't know how or how often this data is gathered. Maybe some members here who really know will take the time to give you some better answers.
 
30" may be rare in the hobby because people either get rid of their Dovii once it shreds their other fish or they are kept in inadequate sized aquariums and conditions. But even at 19"-22", that is a massive fish to keep properly. I think that stating the largest known size of a captive Dovii is good in practice because those extra inches could be just enough to keep some Dovii out of the hands of people that just don't have the means to keep such a large fish.

Agreed 100%. I've seen the difference (not just with cichlids) that a big tank will make to growth rate, rather than one thats just big enough. I think people too often thing "I'll wait for the fish to grow then upgrade the tank" when really we should be doing it the other way around and letting the fish grow into the tank. We all know a small tank will stunt a potentially big fish. What we don't know is where that stops, perhaps out "grow out" tanks are stunting the growth of our fish more than we think?

Mels dovii looks about right in that 600g, anything less would be inadequate IMO, regardless of its actual length.
 
Unless that guy has hands like paddles then that fish is around the 19-20" mark. No chance its near 2 foot.

I'll just say if I posed a pic of my little 13" Dovii next to my hand I doubt you would judge the fish to be 13". He could be over estimating the Dovii a little. He did estimate his Umbee to be 24" and when it was measured it was 24". I doubt that the Dovii is 19" closer to 24". People keeping them in 24" wide 300 gallons have 18" Dovii and I doubt they do maintenance like Mel. I have seen a Dovii in a public aquarium that was at least 24". I hope he can get closer to judging the size of a fish after 30+ years in the hobby,closer then people can by a video. Who knows.....not trying to argue with bud but just my 2 cents.
 
He did estimate his Umbee to be 24" and when it was measured it was 24". I hope he can get closer to judging the size of a fish after 30+ years in the hobby,closer then people can by a video.

Agreed, nothing personal but I'd be inclined to trust the estimate of size from the guy who sits in front of the tank every day more than someone watching on a little video...
 
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