Ornate Bichir?

[JD7.62]

There is a fish at my LFS labelled as P. Delhzi or somthing like that. Its around 4 inches long and jet black with a neon green pattern, very beautiful. Not wanting to buy on impulse I put the fish on hold to do some research and I have concluded that he is a juvi ornate bichir instead. Does this sound right? Can some one please post pics of one around that size so I can make sure? I have not been able to find any on the net. Also is $30 a fair price for one of these guys? BTW I am an experienced fish keeper keeping several species of piranhas so I believe I can handle this guy.

Thanks in advance!
JD

 

[unknownuza13]

Yes probably labeled as P. Delhezi.. What you are describing sounds to me more than likely an Ornate. If you just do a google search or better yet a search on this site you will without a doubt be able to distinguish between the two. But the delhezi are a grayish color with black bars/stripes and the ornate will be a yellow and black.. or what you said neon greenish... From the two that I have owned they are very shy and definately are nocturnal. I had delhezi's in the same tank with them and the two delhezi's were out 100% of the time. I have a 10 inch ornate that hides 99.8 % of the time in a decoration. He comes out to eat a few pieces of shrimp at feeding time that is the only time I see him. I think they are the best looking bichir it is a shame you never get to see them.. Hope this helps...

 

[beblondie]

Crummy pic sorry

 

[beblondie]

Never seen an ornate with green you're probably seeing a mislabeled P.p.polli
like this

 

[JD7.62]

I have concluded from my original research that it is not a P. Delhezi and most likely an ornate. The fish's pattern is much like the one beblondie has picture but again a dark black base with a green pattern. I have been surfing the net and all the ornates seem to be more of a yellowish/brownish pattern not green and black. The fish is only 3-4" so maybe that is why he is more brightly colored. What about the price? Is $30 fair for an ornate of that size? I have never seen one locally available.
JD

 

[beblondie]

Can you get a icture of it ?-Anne

 

[JD7.62]

Not soon at least. Now that I think about it, the colors may also be so prominant because the fish is on green gravel! How do you feel about the price though? The fish is on hold untill saturday adn if I am not getting ripped off he will be coming home with me.

 

[Ornatapinnis]

$30.00 retail for an ornatapinnis is a good deal, cheap even...

$40.00 to $60.00 is more common a price. If it's a baby, thier colors are often brighter than sub adults or adults. I have seen bright yellow but never green.

Joel

 

[JD7.62]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Now that I remember the fish was on green gravel so perhaps that is why it apperared green and not yellow. It is also a baby at 3-4" in length. One more quick question. Are P. Delhezi usually more expensive then ornates? If so maybe I could point out the labelling error and knock off a few bucks....ya Im cheap!

 

[Kenta]

I've never seen an ornate with a green pattern
ornate

Delhezi (taken in sunlight)

Delhezi in normal light

As for price, they are usually the same around here averaging 50-70 for a 6incher