to find a really nice Maru is hard. They all looked the same when young except their bands. Most likely, the more bands they have the more flowers will developed! but this again will depend on the water quality,gene,food and other environment matters.
i am currently experimenting with my maru, which ive bee feeding them loads of shrimps/prawns,frogs and insects. All these varied diets have different beneficial properties that will somehow contribute on their development. Plus, i added 'blackwater' solutions to assist and boost on the development too.
So far so good.
have a try dude...or else...u look for a fully matured maru which already established their colours and patterns which will cost u a bomb!
look for the yellow ones,with red/orange eyes,lots of flowers and a nice tinge of bluish/turqoish with patterns on their fins. thats a prize!