Growing Out Wilds

[Second Hand Pat]

As many of you know I have kept wilds the better part of three years now and want to showcase how some of my wilds have changed since I have had them. Many of my wilds were acquired as young sub-adults in the 4 to 5 inch range. While most folks like to buy their wilds as adults I prefer to grow them out a bit and feel they may adapt better to captive life and hopefully breed for me as adults.

When I get a sub-adult my best guess is they are from a spawn from the prior wet season so best guess the fish are between six months to a year old. For simplify I am going to go with a year.

[Second Hand Pat]

For up is my breeding female which has paired with my Trombeta male. This fish is from Mark's shipment from Hugo so this fish arrived December 2011

Picture from early 2012.



This is from tonight. This fish has grown the most in the last six to eight months. She is the largest female and one of the larger Cuipeua in my group. Best guess this fish is in her third year.

[Kirbs]

That fish is absolutely stunning! Nice job!

[Second Hand Pat]

That fish is absolutely stunning! Nice job!

Thanks Kirbs, I love this fish and she has meet all my expectations. If I can get some babies from her that will be icing on the cake.

[Second Hand Pat]

Another fish which has make outstanding progress is this Pacoval which I got from Mark in Feb 2012. No only has it colored up but has grown quite a bit and is still not an adult yet.

From Feb 2013


From last night.

[Discus-n00b]

Outstanding Pat! Your collection is very impressive. And they only get better with time! Glad you are showing this, this is why you buy wilds for potential rather than what they look like on the surface when they first arrive. This is also why I take pictures of every fish I can soon after it arrives, the change can be shocking sometimes.

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Matt and yes, you are right. I can think of no better way to show the how the potential progresses over time. I also take pictures of all my fish shortly after receiving them and on a regular basis. It also helps to keep track on the age of the fish.

[dirtyplants]

I have four greens, and they seem to be growing, I have no clue as to how they will color up but they always surprise me. I am totally fascinated with their behavior, intelligent, and extremely curious. They are different from Doms. It will be interesting to see these guys in 4 months. For now they remain in QT as they adjust, I hope all will turn out nicely like Pats.

[joanstone]

I didn't realize how much they really developed and changed. Thanks for sharing these photos, stunning and impressive as always.

[Second Hand Pat]

I have four greens, and they seem to be growing, I have no clue as to how they will color up but they always surprise me. I am totally fascinated with their behavior, intelligent, and extremely curious. They are different from Doms. It will be interesting to see these guys in 4 months. For now they remain in QT as they adjust, I hope all will turn out nicely like Pats.

Coree, it takes about a year for wilds to color up so enjoy the ride. Also I think yours are a different type of green from mine.

[Second Hand Pat]

I didn't realize how much they really developed and changed. Thanks for sharing these photos, stunning and impressive as always.

Quite striking isn't it Joan? and wonderful. I will showcase one of the heckels tonight.

[joanstone]

It sure is, looking forward to the heckels.

[Nick Klimkowski]

Pat they are gorgeous! It is truly amazing to see a fish blossom into its full potential under the correct care.

[musicmarn1]

Beautiful and can't wait to see more. This is great for those of us starting out with wilds and gives us a peek as to how they might change if we do our husbandry due diligence . I'm certainly looking forward to seeing how my 4 greens change and develop also and this gives me a little insight to what changes I should be looking for.

[OC Discus]

Nice thin lines on the female!