**Video**Atromaculatum and Ornatus added to Festae tank

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From what I have read females have a distinctive spot on their dorsal, which also has an iridescent blue. No males have been documented with the orange ventrum, and lack the spot and blue in the dorsal. Also females are supposed to be more compact and rounded, whereas males are more thin and more elongated. Usually only f1 females are supposed to get the orange ventrums when mature, whereas wc females documented did not have them. But this is just what I have read, again... no personal experience :)

I'll try to find you the link where I read this...
 
I keep all three species, but I do not keep them together. In my experience, the festae are the far more aggressive fish. The atro's would be next, and ornatum third on level of aggression. When smaller, the ornatum show conspecific aggression, but not so much with other fish. They become more aggressive when larger, while the festae and atro's will display aggressiveness towards all other fish at smaller sizes.

The ornatum's "shy" behavior is a myth. All will come to the front of the tanks when they see you, awaiting to be fed. All will greedily feed from the surface, and all will accept just about any type of food.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the atro's that chewed on the ornatum tail. My atro's have done this to at least 3 other fish (chewed on the tails). I found it to be a particularly odd and different behavior. In any event, I hope you have separated the ornatum. You may need to treat with an antibiotic because infection can set in.

I personally would not keep the three together unless they are housed in a very large tank with many hiding spots. I've found the ornatum to be slower growing than both festae and atromaculatum. In my opinion, it will just be a matter of time before the festae rule the tank. Their high degree of aggressiveness, coupled with the large size difference between your fish, and the overall size of your tank may spell trouble in the very near future. I would think that you will soon have to also remove your tigrinus.

Nonetheless they are all great fish.

Edit:
I forgot to add, the more colorful, orange-red atro is the female.
 
Those fish are so rare and expensive that I'd keep them all in separate tanks till they are fattened up a lot. Even then I'd be hesitant to put them in with Festae. I think you're asking for trouble. Just my .2 cents. They look great by the way. I'd say the orange bellied atro is your female.
 
Homerun!
 
By this Sunday, my pair of RTM's and Bocourti should be cleared out. That will just leave my pair of GT's to contend with. I'm seriously considering sacrificing them too so I can concentrate on growing out the new fish. That would eliminate some risk of losing them and besides, I can always get another pair of GT's later on if I want some. Atromaculatum and Ornatus are a different story. Ok then....is everyone happy now? :D

Seriously though, thank you everyone for your interest. I really appreciate the comments and advice.

Anyone want a breeding pair of Orange Saums? They're top quality specimens.
 
I didn't comment on the stock situation, I figured you saw what everyone else did and would have a plan to address it. I would love to take your GT's, you gonna be crusing past NYC anytime next week?
 
Unfortunately, I won't be passing thru N.Y. any time soon. :)

Being around them all the time, I feel the Festae are the least of their worries. The other fish are so much smaller, it seems they're not considered a threat. I agree if the Festae breed, then all bets are off. I'm more worried about the fish that are closer in size to one another fighting, and even more so about conspecific aggression.
 
Everyone is getting along pretty good again.

Here's the Atro's. Their fins are still a little tattered but hopefully they'll grow back soon.

The female is a little piglet and will outgrow the male at the rate she's going. She's alredy bulked up more than him.

Male
07-18-2010 Atromaculatus Male F0.JPG

Female
07-18-2010 Atromaculatus Female F0.JPG
 
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