Questions about Channa Marulioides

[H]-[H]

There's a bunch of marulioides at a lfs that I saw & one especially stood out cause it has "flowers" on its body & they are all around 3"..
Others have undeveloped "flowers" so I was wondering if it is special or just another marulioide?

 

[tokyogasmask]

I would say it is the most dominant of the group.
Go for it.

 

[H]-[H]

Does the number of black markings on their bodies(juvi marulioides) determine the number of "flowers" they will become?

 

[skareb]

unfortunately no. But then again not the most bar marking will produce the most flowers, some 5 bars SH will produce a chain of flowers throughout the entire body.

As for your SH, 3" with flowers, I would say the fish "might" be stunt perhaps?

 

[H]-[H]

Hmm.. stunted.. never thought bout this though.. There were probably around 10+ marulioides kept in a 2.5ft tank..
How to choose the one that will most likely have most "flowers" when full grown?

 

[skareb]

Hmm.. stunted.. never thought bout this though.. There were probably around 10+ marulioides kept in a 2.5ft tank..
How to choose the one that will most likely have most "flowers" when full grown?

Dun think so there is a way to do this.
Normally we choose the most pronouncing band, but this is not full proof.

 

[Oleoleole]

Flower? Do you mean white scales at 3"?
That I ever seen is around 6" to start flower develop.
But it depend on age of fish too.

Ole'

 

[tokyogasmask]

Flower? Do you mean white scales at 3"?
That I ever seen is around 6" to start flower develop.
But it depend on age of fish too.

Ole'

I agree.
OP, are you sure it wasn't a Marulius?
They look very similar when small, and often have white flower markings.

 

[H]-[H]

Can someone educate me on the differences between marulius & marulioides?
Pics would be helpful..