Any of you guys into wild Altums?

[LizStreithorst]

Hummm, The pH of my ro is 6..  I guess how low you can get it depends on what minerals are in your tap water.  I don't know.  I love water chemistry but I only know the basics of it.  Water is so much more complex that people imagine.

[Second Hand Pat]

Indeed it so Liz but not using any tap in the water for the altums. Using RO water, RO Right and Discus Essentials only.
Pat

[LizStreithorst]

If my RO is pH 6 I would have to use something like peat to lower it, right? 

[Second Hand Pat]

If my RO is pH 6 I would have to use something like peat to lower it, right?

Liz, I do a 50% water change every other day. This allow the ph to drop naturally.
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

A video from last night. Measured a couple of these guys (with ruler) and they range to just under two to just over two inches SL. I understand this is good growth for their age at 5.5 months.

[Mugwump]

Nice....that's about pre-breeder size now....they should start to blossom a bit over the next 4-5 months....some of my Sta Isabel/Rio Negro crosses got huge....others pretty large too...I think Pauline has one of the 'big' boys too....not sure if Larry has any tho....

[PaulineMi]

Pat they look wonderful. ...everything about them. I could spend a lot of time just observing and admiring them. Are these your first Altum?

[Mugwump]

Pat?..are those some of Troxell's F1's ?

[Second Hand Pat]

Nice....that's about pre-breeder size now....they should start to blossom a bit over the next 4-5 months....some of my Sta Isabel/Rio Negro crosses got huge....others pretty large too...I think Pauline has one of the 'big' boys too....not sure if Larry has any tho....

Jon, these guys take two to three years to mature and if raised well are as big as discus. Hope to get them to three or better inches at a year.
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Pat they look wonderful. ...everything about them. I could spend a lot of time just observing and admiring them. Are these your first Altum?

Second batch Pauline. I did very well starting with my first batch (at least good for a altum newbie) but the first batch stressed over Christmas company and went into hiding for three months which put the group into a serious state of decline. I have a few left but they look awful.

[Second Hand Pat]

Pat?..are those some of Troxell's F1's ?

These are wild caught Jon from John (snookn21) here in Florida. Mike has be helping me with this batch.
Pat

[Mugwump]

Nice....that's about pre-breeder size now....they should start to blossom a bit over the next 4-5 months....some of my Sta Isabel/Rio Negro crosses got huge....others pretty large too...I think Pauline has one of the 'big' boys too....not sure if Larry has any tho....

Jon, these guys take two to three years to mature and if raised well are as big as discus. Hope to get them to three or better inches at a year.
Pat

You're correct.....but at a about a year they start to blossom in looks.....my F1 Mana's took 2 years+ to even look like the wanted to pair off and spawn...lots of early activity, but mostly just the youthful sparring.....enjoy the ride 

[Mugwump]

Pat they look wonderful. ...everything about them. I could spend a lot of time just observing and admiring them. Are these your first Altum?

Second batch Pauline. I did very well starting with my first batch (at least good for a altum newbie) but the first batch stressed over Christmas company and went into hiding for three months which put the group into a serious state of decline. I have a few left but they look awful.

I've covered a few tanks when we have a large family gathering ....it helps a lot...I learned my lesson on a similar happening...they spooked a couple pairs that I really wanted their spawns....they went nuts and ate the eggs.....but that's a rarity here now...all the fish are well socialized...wilds tho are a different story most times tho.....sorry to hear that about yours....

[Second Hand Pat]

I've covered a few tanks when we have a large family gathering ....it helps a lot...I learned my lesson on a similar happening...they spooked a couple pairs that I really wanted their spawns....they went nuts and ate the eggs.....but that's a rarity here now...all the fish are well socialized...wilds tho are a different story most times tho.....sorry to hear that about yours....

Thanks Jon, I am leaving this batch in my little fishroom for now. It is away from all the household activity but the largest tank in that room is only a 75. Later I will relocate my 90 to a less busy spot and move them into that tank.

[Second Hand Pat]

These guys are putting on some fin.