Festae- Quality VS Trash!!

[charlie1187]

Well put RD. The diet and habitat of Festae in Ecuador all but assures that they are not predisposed to look like Geophagus. Yet this what we are seeing too frequently in some of today's specimens. The landscape has not changed nor has the diet of those inhabiting the Rio Esmereldas and and Guyacil. The marketplaces are the best place to observe if there are any issues out in the waterways. The ones which are being caught for food by locals do not look like the mutants being sold in America. Truly there are abnormalities within every species, but not at the large percentages we are currently seeing in the hobby. I will again attempt to attach photos of some F0 juvies. Hopefully it works this time.
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Well now that ive looked at these pics close i know these fish and had the chance to buy them i have the exact same pics on my phone from the seller , i could / should kick myself for not buying them now ! I have 1 question as to how you came confirmed they are actually real equador festae . Im not questioning your expertise on these fish at all because im far from a festae professional im just trying to piece a puzzle of questions together nothing more , I would just simply like to know because i obtained some from the new orleans area and were told they were wild & not from a pond so i would like to know how i could confirm mine other than word of mouth which is not a bad thing but thats all i have at the moment ,so im gonna attach some pics and please take a look at them i value your opioin as the other guys here and in NO way an i being smart cocky or trying to insult anyone just simply trying to learn so in the future i dont have questionable fish

 

[RRgers]

Where did you get them from in New Orleans?

 

[RRgers]

Well now that ive looked at these pics close i know these fish and had the chance to buy them i have the exact same pics on my phone from the seller , i could / should kick myself for not buying them now ! I have 1 question as to how you came confirmed they are actually real equador festae . Im not questioning your expertise on these fish at all because im far from a festae professional im just trying to piece a puzzle of questions together nothing more , I would just simply like to know because i obtained some from the new orleans area and were told they were wild & not from a pond so i would like to know how i could confirm mine other than word of mouth which is not a bad thing but thats all i have at the moment ,so im gonna attach some pics and please take a look at them i value your opioin as the other guys here and in NO way an i being smart cocky or trying to insult anyone just simply trying to learn so in the future i dont have questionable fish

Hey charlie1187,
Are you asking if the fish are real deal Festae, real deal Ecuador, or real deal F0? Please clarify.

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

either way, unless you buy from a reputable source, theres no way to be 100% sure on location or F# just by looking at them, especially at that size. and still there are reputable sources out there that buy based of the word of another guy, which how credible were those people... LOL

 

[charlie1187]

Where did you get them from in New Orleans?

I got mine the small ones I posted pics of from mike at 50 fathoms and were assured they were wc they were imported by Leigh masoni I believe I spelled that rite that's what I was told if I heard correctly it was busy when me and mike were talking about it a lot of people were asking him questions buying fish etc.
So now for the answer to your other question yea I'm wondering about mine if the experts think about them that's all .I'm gonna try to talk to mike to find out more info as exactly where they came from I don't think he has no reason to make up anything he's a pretty nice guy and has a very reputable business I just want more details as to if there Peru equador etc.
I'm new to all the scams with the festae people selling not real wild caught and calling them that maybe I'm wording it wrong by saying scams but you guys know what I'm saying .The only thing I want in the end are true wild caught f-0 equador festae it may not be important to some but that's what I want .And if I can't get that I know now where to get the closest thing and I may still have to but first I wanna know I tried all I can to get them lol.
I'm open to all options to get these fish if anyone wants to share onhow and who to talk with
Thanks guys for helping.

 

[charlie1187]

either way, unless you buy from a reputable source, theres no way to be 100% sure on location or F# just by looking at them, especially at that size. and still there are reputable sources out there that buy based of the word of another guy, which how credible were those people... LOL

You are 100% correct !So now where can I buy some who can you trust to bring in the real equador f-0 festae?Its sad that people are doing this man they should go back to the old ways and be honest and sell real wild fish to people I just don't understand the deal well I g do its all about money lol

 

[RD.]

I suspect that Leigh Masoni = Laif DeMason, from Old World Exotics.
http://www.oldworldexoticfish.com/

Laif is known for his African imports (Malawi & Tanganyika) not so much SA imports, and he also sells domestic farm raised fish. I don't see festae listed on any of his recent imports.

 

[badazz07sti]

14000 views!!!??? Holy cow I got a lot of reading to catch up on lol

Sent from my SGH-T759 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[charlie1187]

I suspect that Leigh Masoni = Laif DeMason, from Old World Exotics.
http://www.oldworldexoticfish.com/

Laif is known for his African imports (Malawi & Tanganyika) not so much SA imports, and he also sells domestic farm raised fish. I don't see festae listed on any of his recent imports.

Well sir you are rite but i dont know if i am but tomorrow im gonna try to find out as much as i can .Does he farm festae? Thanks for correcting me and the link to that site ! Ijust wanna find real out of the river fish but its gonna be a task i see lol!

 

[cacichilds]

Sharke Aquarium, perhaps?

I purchased this one @ absolutelyfish. I was just at sharks this weekend and George didn't have anything good festae wise.

I was impressed just on the robust color this 2" fish had verses the other festae I typically see. Wild or not, It didn't matter too much, but I knew right away, it had good genes. I think you're spot on in saying F0,1,2,3,4,5, or not and ugly fish is going to be an ugly fish. Even at a small size, fish can show their potential, and it's not always the "dominant fish" which shows great color, its sometimes just a good fish. My Festae has dropped some of his green since and is getting more gold based. The bright red fins have stayed pretty consistent along with the barring.