And an interesting observation I made, which I later found out from searching the forum (that many of you already know). Farm-raised Kelberis (and likely the same with many other farm-raised fish) will distend their bellies and eat, for the most part, as long as food is available. I didn't overfeed the Kelberis - one or two would always feed more aggressively than the others, and the less aggressive feeding Kels would often go hungry as the top dogs gorged. I think this comes from the breeders wanting to powerfeed and ship out the bred fish as quickly as possible, so the distension might be a developing farm-bred trait, but am certainly open to hearing all of your observations.
The two Azuls that show more red are wild-caught from Rio Araguaia, and the third with more blue was a stumbled-upon LFS find, and they had no clue as to the collection point. The WC, especially, will eat what they want to eat, and certainly not stuff themselves into a food coma, which is in stark contrast to the most aggressively feeding Kelberi I have in my big tank.
A side note - not only are these fish beautiful, but intellectually stimulating as well (at least to an amateur like me). After observing the differences between farm-bred and wild-caught Pbass, I have never been more appreciative for the dedicated importers. What a hell of a hobby we have, right?
*EDIT* - I don't know how I managed to have the same pic appear sideways and upright, but I pulled it off. We'll be having a sale on neckbraces over labor day weekend.
The two Azuls that show more red are wild-caught from Rio Araguaia, and the third with more blue was a stumbled-upon LFS find, and they had no clue as to the collection point. The WC, especially, will eat what they want to eat, and certainly not stuff themselves into a food coma, which is in stark contrast to the most aggressively feeding Kelberi I have in my big tank.
A side note - not only are these fish beautiful, but intellectually stimulating as well (at least to an amateur like me). After observing the differences between farm-bred and wild-caught Pbass, I have never been more appreciative for the dedicated importers. What a hell of a hobby we have, right?
*EDIT* - I don't know how I managed to have the same pic appear sideways and upright, but I pulled it off. We'll be having a sale on neckbraces over labor day weekend.
