Got 3 Synspilum - Are They Real Or Hybrid?

[simonas]

I got three synspilum off a guy on aquarist ads. I've always loved the look of these fish in books etc

I bought these three ffor £20 there are 2 about 6 inch and one aboput 4 inch. They aren't as colourful as I expected infact rather drab. The largest and darkest and most dominant also seems to have a slight problem swimming and looks quite ungainly as if the end of his body is a little paralysed

heres some pics anyway. do these look like true synspilum
how big is it till they really colour up
what foods bring the colours out best etc

 

[Pleccy]

To be honest it's a bit difficult to say as your fish are quite small (they can grow to 46cm) so I would just wait and see.

 

[england]

Iam not 100% sure sorry, but beware with 3 of them together unless you have a big tank,
my vieja bifa grew to about 6inches, then one day turned beat living hell out of my oscars,killed a green terror and seriously wounded a jack dempsey aswell,,,,they are beautiful fish however,,,, give them a while to settle, they change colours alot during the course of a day.....

also check your pm box

 

[simonas]

Iam not 100% sure sorry, but beware with 3 of them together unless you have a big tank,
my vieja bifa grew to about 6inches, then one day turned beat living hell out of my oscars,killed a green terror and seriously wounded a jack dempsey aswell,,,,they are beautiful fish however,,,, give them a while to settle, they change colours alot during the course of a day.....

also check your pm box

cheers Nelly your a gent. I'll have a good go at that site when I'monhome pc, this work one is slow for pics

they've settled a little now so look better and there is red coming out, I just want them to become the lovely large colourful Vieja's I see in books and mags

They re in a 150g for now and the plan is for just a pair so I'll see hw things pan out. Iinformed the wife of my need for a 7 or 8 ft tank next year so they will hopefully go in that when I sort cash and tank out lol she wasn't impressed and went on about extensions for the kids rooms etc but its the fish which come first !!

 

[england]

tell her the kids can swim in the tank in the summer, a free pool