I really love Ornatum but thinking back the first time I tried to pair up Festae, how many I had to go thru before I got a match...wow. I don't really want to deal with that right now, especially with how expensive Ornatum are. I would have to divide the tank and I hate divided tanks. The snook route may be better for me. My lfs used to have a pair of big snooks in their show-tank and I was in love with them.
I agree with this statment bro, I love the colors and personality of my Ornatums too but ive been doing alot of research and found that Ornatums seem harder to pair and spawn than festae and everyone knows that festae can be very challenging for most people. and if you do want to be successful with them you will end up having to use dividers and prolly for most of their lives
George had his for a year or so before they decided to spawn and from my understanding he didnt do anything special to make it happen just normal breeding techniques; WC's, great diet etc. I would say to get ornatums just so i can get your extra female... LOL but i could be waiting a long time
and i know you dont care for divided tanks and like active set ups so i will vote for the snooks bro
and Ira does have larger snooks that are already starting to pair and color up. also Dan ye Jennings has Ornatums around the same size and price you mentioned earlier and i believe she may have snooks as well
either way i know you'll be happy with your decision and your fish will be happier
