New Wild Rio Negro Heckles from John

[GVB]

Today I received my first ever Heckles from John at Freshwater Tropical Fish Online. These 4 small guys were only $25 each so I couldn't pass em up. I've posted a like to a brief video of them. Once they settle in I will try to grab some photos. They are currently being quarantined in a 20 long but I have plans to put them in a grow out tank in a month post quarantine.

Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/s0EpU9gUiXM

[pitdogg2]

Is that price for real?

[Second Hand Pat]

Yup, price is for real. The Rio Negro Heckels are a bit smaller then the Unini Heckels.

How are your guys doing Greg? I was doing daily 50% water changes with the Unini but they were not happy. Upped it to 90% with daily wipedowns and they are much happy fish. They seem to need very clean water and tank.
Pat

[pitdogg2]

And grow to what size ?

[Second Hand Pat]

And grow to what size ?

Hopefully adult size :o
Pat

[GVB]

Price was too good to refuse, especially after seeing Pats!

I plan to grow them to as big a size as big as I can. I grow domestics from smaller sizes to 7inch fish, hopefully I can get somewhere near the mark but I have a feeling feeding will be tougher at the start with these wilds. First I will get them on granules/pellets so that I can autofeed them during the day. Then I will get them into a once per day feeding of beefheart. Shooting for 5-6 feedings a day as I do with my other growouts. This will be easier once I mixed them with my own 3inch babies.

[farebox]

Hey guys I just joined the club, received six a few minutes ago. In 40G breeder, no light, all in tank corner for now. Already liking these guys.

[Phillydubs]

Fun fun fun for you all! Looks like John's minuscule entry price point has a few members ready to dip their toes in the wild water!

Pretty soon you will all let my secret out.... IT ISN'T THAT HARD!!! Shhhhhhh

[pitdogg2]

Hopefully adult size :o
Pat

Oh you're a riot.....touche'
Well done Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Oh you're a riot.....touche'
Well done Pat

I just couldn't resist :)
Pat

[jawfish]

Nice...

Growing up a group of these is a real fun experience, the price of admission makes it impossible to resist.

I've had mine for more than a year now and the biggest got to almost 6 inch while the others are the in 4 to 5 inch range. Now I know they at least have more than a year to grow so they will get to a decent size. I do think that me moving last june had a negative impact on the group. I do have one that didn't grow up that much and lost of last June, but that's not bad out of a group of 12. I didn't get a group this year, but next year I'm getting another group of 12-16.

Feeding was tough, but not that hard, I would say I got them to eat pellets within the first month. From the start they will take FDBW no issue just break the cube up in the water, if you have a white worm culture they will eat those quickly. They will take chopped up raw clams and chopped up cook mussels, then you can get them on pellets, flakes and discus mix. With mine I noticed they are really bottom feeders, they like to look around on the sand and slowly pick up their food. this was very diffrent from the domestic I used to breed where they didn't wait for the food to drop on the bottom.

Glad you guys are jumping on growing some Heckels !!!

Cheers,

Fred

[kyaw06]

Nice...

Growing up a group of these is a real fun experience, the price of admission makes it impossible to resist.

I've had mine for more than a year now and the biggest got to almost 6 inch while the others are the in 4 to 5 inch range. Now I know they at least have more than a year to grow so they will get to a decent size. I do think that me moving last june had a negative impact on the group. I do have one that didn't grow up that much and lost of last June, but that's not bad out of a group of 12. I didn't get a group this year, but next year I'm getting another group of 12-16.

Feeding was tough, but not that hard, I would say I got them to eat pellets within the first month. From the start they will take FDBW no issue just break the cube up in the water, if you have a white worm culture they will eat those quickly. They will take chopped up raw clams and chopped up cook mussels, then you can get them on pellets, flakes and discus mix. With mine I noticed they are really bottom feeders, they like to look around on the sand and slowly pick up their food. this was very diffrent from the domestic I used to breed where they didn't wait for the food to drop on the bottom.

Glad you guys are jumping on growing some Heckels !!!

Cheers,

Fred
I like to try those Heckel too.Try to contact John,so far no luck.Andy

[farebox]

Did you email him? I got an quick respond back. Maybe down for New Year's holiday, but I would still email him (snookn21@yahoo.com).

[dpt8]

Pics ???

[kyaw06]

I contact him by phone,email and text message.May be take days off for new year.

[kyaw06]

Finally,i'll get my small Heckel very soon