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Emma Turner
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Post by Emma Turner » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:04 pm

Congratulations, Mike, you sound so excited! 8) With the 5" specimens at the shop (some of which went home with Mad Duff & Graeme) we have all seen marked sexual dimorphism in that the males have a much larger head with fleshier lips. Females seem to have a more rounded snout. I have seen colourful specimens of both sexes.

Emma
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Mike Ophir
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Post by Mike Ophir » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:13 pm

Thanks for the comments guys and gals. I really am enjoying them...they are such an active fish. They are constantly out and about, doing the loachy dance and shoaling around the whole aquarium. They seem quite placid as others had reported and in return, the other loach inhabitants do not seem to be bothering them either. Their color patterning is quite striking. How does their appearance change as they grow? The group I have now are 4 inches long on average....I am really happy that an opportunity came along to get some. Many thanks go to Frank for looking for some for me.

Will keep you updated on how they develop. Is this really the first shipment of them to the USA?

Mike
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Emma Turner
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Post by Emma Turner » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:25 pm

Mike Ophir wrote:Is this really the first shipment of them to the USA?
Mike
Frank received a shipment in May 2007, about a month after we received the first UK import if I remember rightly. This is only the second batch that has been collected for the aquarium trade though.

Emma
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Frank M. Greco
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Post by Frank M. Greco » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:25 pm

Mike Ophir wrote:Will keep you updated on how they develop. Is this really the first shipment of them to the USA? Mike
Hi Mike. Glad you liked the fish. This is not the first time I've had them. I got them about a year ago, and then they disappeared from the import lists. Now they are back, and at a much more reasonable price.
Frank M. Greco
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Mike Ophir
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Post by Mike Ophir » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:44 pm

Yes, indeed. I wonder what could account for the price drop? More available? Easier access to their native habitat?

Mike
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Mad Duff
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Post by Mad Duff » Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:02 am

Lovely looking fish Mike :D

Like Emma said the key to sexing them seems to be the shape of the face males have longer faces with bigger lips while females are more rounded, also like Emma I have seen colour variations among my males and females, I have come to the conclusion that when they go paler its their version of greying out in clowns or going totally silver in sids.

I have 4 large Histrionicas in with my emperors and they get on really well and more or less permanently shoal together.
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14 loach species bred, which will be next?
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Frank M. Greco
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Post by Frank M. Greco » Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:50 am

Mike Ophir wrote:Yes, indeed. I wonder what could account for the price drop? More available? Easier access to their native habitat?

Mike
Probably both as easier access would make more available. Or they were not selling many at the old price and decided to lower it.
Frank M. Greco
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tariesindanrie
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Post by tariesindanrie » Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:57 am

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Just beautiful, Mike!!! Thanks so much for sharing the pics, though I am sure they don't do them full justice. Please keep us updated!


Kate
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mickthefish
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Post by mickthefish » Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:07 am

mike is that overall length as if it is they are starting to send younger fish over.
good looking healthy fish a credit to you and frank your supplier.

mick
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NancyD
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Post by NancyD » Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:13 am

Congrats Mike! Great looking fish!
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Doc
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Post by Doc » Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:29 am

I'm jealous. I really want some Emperors. I'll just have to wait a little longer. Those look gorgeous Mike.
So many species of fish yet so little time, space and money to keep them all...
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Bully
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Post by Bully » Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:43 am

Lovely looking fish!!
Doc wrote:I'm jealous. I really want some Emperors.
That sums it up for me too :)
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Frank M. Greco
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Post by Frank M. Greco » Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:21 pm

mickthefish wrote:mike is that overall length as if it is they are starting to send younger fish over.mick
Hi Mick. The first ones I got were about 7" TL, or perhaps a hair (fin?) longer.
Frank M. Greco
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Mike Ophir
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Post by Mike Ophir » Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:03 pm

Good point Mick,

They are definately smaller than photos I have seen of large specimens here on the LOL species index page.

Mike
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newshound
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Post by newshound » Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:49 pm

frank I love your website.
I will order from you someday!
drain your pool!
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