Rio Negro.....Temensis. LOAD WARNING

[jcardona1]

^ look at that, reverse engaging in meaningful on-topic discussion

i have done the blackwater thing using indian almond leaves in my 400g and in my 55g where i have the rio negro orinos. to be honest, i didnt notice any real difference in coloration.

its just something about the water parameters in the wild that we simply cannot re-create in a glass box. i dont think we'll ever see those colors in a tank

 

[armac]

I understand fish, I just do not participate in all the childish butt kissing that is associated with some of the cliques on this board.

I talk fish, not fish related realtionships.

 

[jcardona1]

They are blackwater areas of the Rio Negro. Cichla in blackwater tend to be darker as a whole. We have some examples in the "oddball cichla' thread.

This may Intensify the red to a degree, but not to the levels we see on these Temensis. If it was a 'red booster' I would expect to see the same results on RN Orino's and some of the other cichla species that inhabit blackwater tributaries...Kelberi, Monoculous being good examples. This is not the case, they simply darken over...including the red areas.

The Tem pictured is a beautiful specimen of Temensis in the hobby, but not RN in my opinion. Simply a fully mature Tem which are seldom seen in the hobby because of the size they attain.

If I were to guess who may have them in the hobby I think immediately of Seichii. Also, we havent had an update from Boost on his 'Brazil Orinos' in a while, but after Wes' comment, and further inspection, those fish do look more Tem like than Orino. An update would greatly help

about that pic of the mature green Tem...see this is the first temensis ive ever seen in captivity that actually looks green. all other mature tems ive seen in tanks look a drab gray color. even johnptc's 3ft monsters, theyre all gray.

but if you look at fishing pics of mature temensis caught in the wild, BAMMM bright bold greens and reds.

again, i think it has to do with water parameters of the wild that will never be created in an aquarium

 

[jcardona1]

I understand fish, I just do not participate in all the childish butt kissing that is associated with some of the cliques on this board.

I talk fish, not fish related realtionships.

seems a bit hypocritical, since you engage in childish trolling. but anywho, lets carry on

 

[armac]

^ look at that, reverse engaging in meaningful on-topic discussion

i have done the blackwater thing using indian almond leaves in my 400g and in my 55g where i have the rio negro orinos. to be honest, i didnt notice any real difference in coloration.

its just something about the water parameters in the wild that we simply cannot re-create in a glass box. i dont think we'll ever see those colors in a tank

Is it Indian Almond leaves that color the water in Rio Negro?

If you could duplicate what is in their natural habitat, not just what we have commercially available, you might be more successful.

 

[jcardona1]

Look at the water in picture three, I wonder if that water color does not influence the red color. Never seen a red in the aquarium hobby.

i see what youre saying. but that pic also does look to be overly-saturated in photoshop

 

[Superlaz]

I agree. While the genetics are there, there is a difference in water, consumption, 'liveliness', and general demeanor between wild fish and tank raised. Not only red (although the most notable difference in intensity) but all colors seem more brilliant in the wild. I notice a big change in coloration when I place my fish in my pond vs. tank. My cichla definitely 'liven' up. May be natural lighting, more space, etc...but you notice.

Reverse, I have found the same...but most of our water down here is actually Very alkaline. I think as mentioned its a combination of things...a big part of it being food. Wild Midas down here are brilliant orange...might as well glow. Stick themin a tank and check on them a few months down the road. They fade to a light orange if not white.

 

[jcardona1]

Is it Indian Almond leaves that color the water in Rio Negro?

If you could duplicate what is in their natural habitat, not just what we have commercially available, you might be more successful.

valid point. i dont know what it actually is that releases the tannins in these rivers. has to be a combination of leaves/wood. would be too difficult to try that in a fish tank

 

[armac]

I agree. While the genetics are there, there is a difference in water, consumption, 'liveliness', and general demeanor between wild fish and tank raised. Not only red (although the most notable difference in intensity) but all colors seem more brilliant in the wild. I notice a big change in coloration when I place my fish in my pond vs. tank. My cichla definitely 'liven' up. May be natural lighting, more space, etc...but you notice.

Reverse, I have found the same...but most of our water down here is actually Very alkaline. I think as mentioned its a combination of things...a big part of it being food. Wild Midas down here are brilliant orange...might as well glow. Stick themin a tank and check on them a few months down the road. They fade to a light orange if not white.

Another good example, the midas. It is a shame, we spend so much to have nice fish, but they do better in the ditch, than in our expensive tanks we have for them.

 

[Superlaz]

None of these pics were photoshopped. Atleast not on my end. You can play with the lighting and usually see when a pic has been altered. The third pic in my post would be suspect, but it looks to simply be an angle/lighting deal.

The Temensis I used to have were pretty close to the one pictured. I turned them into the local zoo just as they were starting to develop the strong black and yellows. Unfortunately they were not yet equipped to handle these large fish and had them in a temporary moat where they died over a cold weekend.