ShadowStryder's Hydrocynus vittatus (VATF) growout thread

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Couple stills....

VATF--09-24-2013(1).jpg

VATF--09-24-2013.jpg
 
Very interesting to see tail hooks on your Vittatus.

Almost looks like 3 rows of scales under the lateral line??? Can you tell if there's 2 or 3 rows? 3 would make it a Tanzy, and perfectly explain the tail hooks.

Very sweet fish you have there Don regardless of the politics of what it is, species doesn't change the beauty of that thing!! Shouldn't be long before he gets some new toothy friends should it? :)
 
Good eye, Al. :thumbsup:

It looks to me like the third row goes right up to the pelvic fin without actually crossing over. Can't tell for sure though lol. I think this is just a very thick VATF personally.

SS, I'd be happy to change the title of this thread for you to reflect its de facto growout thread status if you'd like.
 
I guess I didn't know the details of the rows and where they end.... Still just a newb when it comes to these fish :(

It's a stupid thick Vatf.... lol. Just a testament to Don's ability to care for his creatures.... :)

Can't wait to see how this guy does with the grow outs, will definitely apply that experience to my little guys.....
 
I guess I didn't know the details of the rows and where they end.... Still just a newb when it comes to these fish :(

It's a stupid thick Vatf.... lol. Just a testament to Don's ability to care for his creatures.... :)

Can't wait to see how this guy does with the grow outs, will definitely apply that experience to my little guys.....

Everyone's always learning bro. Even me. :)

That is one damn healthy fish either way!
 
Thanks everyone!

Al, I believe he is VATF just from the source which stated from the Congo so will go with that unless someone can prove me otherwise.
Still have the toothy growouts, well growing out. Not nearly big enough to trust with the rays. The VATF is Ray savvy at this point and
knows better than to stay on bottom to long.:)

Rob, feel free to change the name. In fact I will add a few pics from when I got him at 2.5 - 3 inches. Thanks!

2.5 - 3 Inches

VATF--12-12-2010(1).JPG

VATF--12-12-2010.JPG
 
I don't doubt the source by any means, just saw 3 rows of scales, but clearly misinterpreted how to count them. Typical newb..... ;)

The lil pics definitely don't look Tanzy...... :) Sure was a cute lil well fed bugger.... lol
 
I don't doubt the source by any means, just saw 3 rows of scales, but clearly misinterpreted how to count them. Typical newb..... ;)

The lil pics definitely don't look Tanzy...... :) Sure was a cute lil well fed bugger.... lol

Damn FNG's haha ;)

So you know, the scale counts are done immediately above the pelvic fin insertion. There will be one scale touching the insertion and one touching the lateral line scale on a VATF. On a TATF, there will be one touching the lateral line scale, another scale, then one touching the pelvic fin insertion. So basically, on a VATF, the third row will go right up to the pelvic fin but will go under instead of over.

On well fed fish like ShadowStryder's, the third row will be very visible and make things tricky. The fish are just as thick as one another, the pelvic fin just originates one scale row lower on the TATF, there's not actually an extra row of scales.
 
I don't doubt the source by any means, just saw 3 rows of scales, but clearly misinterpreted how to count them. Typical newb..... ;)

The lil pics definitely don't look Tanzy...... :) Sure was a cute lil well fed bugger.... lol
Newb here too....didnt know anything about IDing and still struggle....
I had a pair but lost one the first night because of to much gph and it got sucked to the intake and couldn't remove itself.
He was on live for the first two weeks and converted to pellets after that. Dont believe the toothy friends will be so easy.
 
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