Festae growouts

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Spence

Spence

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2015
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So I picked up 3 F1 Festae (parents supposedly collected from Ecuador). As of now they mostly hide, but will come out and chase each other every once in a while. Odd thing is that they have almost no spots or bars at all yet. I can barely make out the spot on the caudal fin as these guys are only about an inch long. any one know if this is typical of young festae? I was able to grab a couple pics of these guys, but they are still pretty shy.festae 2.jpg festae1.jpg
 
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Yeah it’s pretty typical of very young Festae.
Be patient Festae tend to be very timid until they mature a little and get familiar with their surroundings.
 
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BIG-G said:
Yeah it’s pretty typical of very young Festae.
Be patient Festae tend to be very timid until they mature a little and get familiar with their surroundings.
Click to expand...

I have a bunch of fake plants in this tank and they are fun to watch darting in and out at each other and sometimes at the tetras as they pass by. I can already tell these guys are going to cause some trouble.

Just curious but if you were to keep a single specimen would you prefer a male or female? And I'm rating on personality, compatibility, and looks. I really don't like the look of dividers in my tanks so that's why I'm leaning away from keeping a pair.
 
Yeah..those look a lot more like I’d expect. But I’m going to give it at least a couple days/weeks before I worry about the color. These are really small and still adjusting. I’m honestly worried that the tetras could take them out...that’s how small they are. I almost didn’t take them because of the size...wasn’t sure they’d travel very well.
 
The very first Festae I had like yours tiny also had no bars are anything.20170720_213302.jpg
Before I rehomed it it looked like this.20170722_090440.jpg
See the bars coming in. Only had this guy for like 2 months.

Most people like the colors that females have, but the thing is you need a male around to get them colors, otherwise single females show a different coloring. Now single male's are beautiful no matter, just have to be ready to house a 16inch+ fish if you are going for a forever fish.
 
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They oook great and will lose their shyness and color up - the white gravel just has them faded out a bit, but they will eventually get over that. I have a large female on white in a 300 with Male Amphilophus - half the time she looks as good as any female I’ve ever seen - the other half, still nice.
 
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Some geographically correct tetras might help them loosen up, of course down the road, they may become snacks.
Here's a shot of young festae I had.

Although some females have been totally devoid of markings even later, as do many males on
 
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Spence said:
Just curious but if you were to keep a single specimen would you prefer a male or female? And I'm rating on personality, compatibility, and looks. I really don't like the look of dividers in my tanks so that's why I'm leaning away from keeping a pair.
Click to expand...
Most people love the female's color and go for them. But, for me the males are beautiful.
If i could only house a single festae i would keep a male.
 
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