My new Vieja!!!!!!

[Au Duong Phong]

I bought this Zonatum last night. Totals up to almost 9". How long in good care will he color up? The water where he lived was filthy. Not with me though. What's perfect temp and ph for him. What do they like to eat? What should I feed him to bring out the blue? It was sold as a male but can you really tell yet?
Comments + advice appreciated.
Im going to have a name for him too. Because I keep my fishes solitary and they are like dogs to me.

 

[Modest_Man]

Temp and pH don't really matter all that much, they're not picky and quite hardy. Anything around 78-82 degrees and 7-8pH. For food, they're not picky. Feed a good pellet staple with other treats. Some veggies won't hurt.

As for the blue color, a varied diet will help a bit but lighting is key.

And the fish is a male.

 

[Au Duong Phong]

Thank you bro. How you tell that it's a male?

 

[warfrik]

The water where he came from was not dirty. The glass being old has developed some kind of green tint and I keep up with my water changes. Don Conkel was the one who sexed the zonatum so it is guaranteed male. There is also a hump beginning to show up. It should color up once it settled in your tank. Give it a few more days. Anyway, I hope you give him a good home since he's been one of my favorites.

 

[Au Duong Phong]

Thank you Oliver. For sure he will be taken care of. I hope to raise him big.

 

[VMike]

He's very nice! I know he will be well taken care of too.Mike

 

[Au Duong Phong]

New picture I just took. I see he will be getting better.

 

[Au Duong Phong]

He's very nice! I know he will be well taken care of too.Mike

Thank you Mike.

 

[freeskier]

cool fish good luck!

 

[fishfobia]

really nice! cant wait to see more color updates