How many juvies to get a great pair?

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decoy50

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 25, 2012
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VA
I'm looking to set up a tank for a breeding pair once I get my two current projects completed. How many juvies do you typically purchase in order to get a really nice pair? I was thinking around 10. I can't get anything locally & most fry I find for sale online are around 2inches - can't really select for color/size when they are that small.

BTW, I'm leaning towards Islantum or H. Deppi. So far Islantum is in the lead.
 
I know I can get a pair from 6-8, I didn't know how many juvies people shoot for if they want to grow out and cherry pick a show pair.

I saw on one thread, a member got 15 istlantum in order to get the pair he was looking for. Wasn't sure if that large a number was the norm or not. So far 6-8 seems to be the consensus.
 
He could have ordered 50 and still only ended up with that one very nice Istlanum. Some of it depends on the pair the fry are from, care in raising them and so on. It has to do with genetics but that does not mean all the fry from a nice pair will be top quality, a better chance that a lot will turn out nice. Sometimes one fish will just outshine the rest. I don't think you can pick a number and raise a top quality fish like that Istlanum based on the number you buy. I would recommend getting as many as you can house and GROW out for a while so their mature colors are there. I would guess depending on your growout tank, 15-20 would be a starting point. If you can only grow them out to 3" or so it won't do you much good though. I am pretty happy gatting some from a reputable seller and picking up 10 to grow out.
 
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