[bigfishferd]

It's taken some time but he is getting there. Another 6 months should do him justice.

Around 5" to 5.5"

 

[Dave]

Looks like this one is turning out nicely. :thumb:

 

[bigfishferd]

Looks like this one is turning out nicely. :thumb:

Thanks Dave, I hope so!

 

[Jake at River City]

He's looking good. Is he a Lupingu variant?

 

[Dave]

My understanding is that there are only two "variants", the Tanzanian type that has speckles and those that do not have the speckles. Other than this, I don't think that collection points are as significant.

 

[YDraigGoch]

My LFS just got a few small phenochilus in stock and it's the first time I've ever seen them for sale. They're had a fabulously beautiful one in their show/display tank for years that I've always coveted. How well does yours get along in your tank? The one they had in their show tank was always bullied even though he was larger than most of the other fish in the tank. Has yours grown fast? How long has it taken him to get to the color he's got now? I'm seriously wanting them but I'm having trouble deciding because I think my 55 mixed tank of mbuna would be too rough a crowd and while I have a 29 tall that I could start them out in just so that they don't get bought out from under me, I don't know how well they'd do in those quarters for how long. Any advice for someone with a chance to get his hands on such a beautiful fish but who's trying to decide what it'd take to keep them successfully?

 

[chapman76]

I got my phenochilus at about 1/4". It's about 2 years later and he's a good 6-7" and very thick. I have a 6" Mloto Midnight and the bulk of him isn't near as much. Mine is a wuss too. He's always getting picked on by my Mloto, but it hasn't affected his color at all. He's a gorgeous fish w/ lots of speckles.

 

[tirzo13]

They don't seem to do so well with most mbuna.

Temperament they work well with electric yellows, rusty's, peacocks, and frontosa.
I have had them with C. moori, but they really fought each other.

They nip frontosa fins, and can be very aggressive towards the frontosa when they are breeding.
A tank of phenos, albino eureka reds, and electric yellows is an impressive sight.

 

[Sulfurhead]

I just got some myself, and just like many, *** always wanted these in my tank. I have 7 unsexed with sizes of 2.5" to 3.5". At what size can i expect any speckles? I cant wait, i plan on making my 125g a Tanzanian species tank once they get alittle bigger.

BTW, they are very submissive to anything else in the tank. My New Guinea Red Rainbow has more "street cred" than these guys

 

[tirzo13]

my males start spotting up at about 4.5 inches.
somewhere around 9-12 months old.
I would say you have about 2-3 more months for a couple of spots.
they grow fairly quick.
each week they look cooler with more spots!!!
They get more "wow's" than my Moba or Kitumba, or any fish i have ever owned, except salt.

 

[Sulfurhead]

2-3months? Thats sooner than i thought! Excellent

 

[tirzo13]

do your weekly water changes, give them Dianichi XL, or Dianichi Ultima, or other brand that has spirulina.
Spirulina is preferred for black/blue/greens.
Krill is best for reds/oranges/yellow.

as long as you are not overpopulated or have fish that will be quicker to the food, your 3.5's should get there in a few more months.

 

[bigfishferd]

I did notice a few spots coming in at the 4.5" size, as tirzo13 noted.
But my guy has not been fast to gain size. I'm not sure why because he eats well and is not harassed by my other fish.

 

[bigfishferd]

Well it is a little over 6 months now and I have some new pics from today.
He has gained a decent amount of specks 8) , but not alot of size. I'd say he's around 6" now.

Thanks for checking him out!

 

[F8LBITEva]

oh awesome bigfish!! How much would you say a Pheno of that size would go for at a store?

 

[jschulst1]

I would estimate 60 bucks or more at the low end, but never seen one at the LFS. Best bet is at aquabid or the trading post.

 

[Sulfurhead]

its good to see the progress. It kinda looks like the speckles spread from the initial spots. Im sure random ones show up too. I'll post some of mine as soon as i can get a good pic. My spots are very small, he's at +5".

 

[chapman76]

Yeah, they're beautiful. I'm thinking about selling my 9" male and was going to ask for about $60-$75. WC ones at about 5" are $50.

 

[F8LBITEva]

Im definitely going to get one of these for my tank!

 

[Sulfurhead]

im still lookin for a pic of some detailed pics of Pheno fry if anyone has any, im talking fry that are days to weeks old.