authenticity of mini marbled motoros

[shern]

greetings all, i’ve been rereading threads and the topic of mini marbled motoros keeps catching me. i was wondering if these species actually exist? or are a marketing ploy for motoros. i know there’s a couple threads that beat around an answer but they’re many years old. anyone know or have a mmm that’s 5+ years old? and at they still mini?

 

[Reese11]

Mini marbles do exist and they are a variant of Motoros. There are also regular marble Motoros that get big. Again a variant of Motoro. For a while many “minis” were mislabeled and grew large but now there are quite a few suppliers/breeders for true mini marble Motoros. I have some I can show you here that are 2 years old and also one that is 4-5 years old

first photo is 4-5 years old an 11” male,
females max out around 12-14” for true minis

second photo are the 2 year olds, all under 11” the male is 10” the two females are just shy of 11”

 

[shern]

Mini marbles do exist and they are a variant of Motoros. There are also regular marble Motoros that get big. Again a variant of Motoro. For a while many “minis” were mislabeled and grew large but now there are quite a few suppliers/breeders for true mini marble Motoros. I have some I can show you here that are 2 years old and also one that is 4-5 years old

first photo is 4-5 years old an 11” male,
females max out around 12-14” for true minis

second photo are the 2 year olds, all under 11” the male is 10” the two females are just shy of 11”

View attachment 1553129

View attachment 1553130

is there a definitive way of differentiating between mini and normal marbled? some people say it’s 3 tiny tings of dots on the outer edges of the disk but i swear i’ve seen normal marbles with that too

 

[Reese11]

is there a definitive way of differentiating between mini and normal marbled? some people say it’s 3 tiny tings of dots on the outer edges of the disk but i swear i’ve seen normal marbles with that too

No the three rows of spots do not differentiate between regular marbles and minis. The three rows only differentiate regular motoros and marbles of all kinds. You have to find a reputable breeder for true mini marbles. That’s why many “minis” were actually regular marbles for a long time. There was no way to identify them confidently

 

[shern]

i see, any recommendations?

 

[Reese11]

i see, any recommendations?

Chicago stingrays is where I got mine from

 

[shern]

Chicago stingrays is where I got mine from

ah, i remember talking to them, he’s got some of the best but they’re way out of my price range

 

[altums85]

My friend had one that just never grew past 5-6" while all his siblings doubled in size. Probably stunted or a dwarf. Kinda wish I bought it when I had the chance

 

[Reese11]

ah, i remember talking to them, he’s got some of the best but they’re way out of my price range

He does in this country, that’s why I went with him after finding out Richard Hardwick overseas doesn’t ship to the US. There are others with lower prices, I forget the names of some of the smaller breeders for them but they are out there. I’ll also be breeding them in about 6months to 1year but I’m sure someone will see this thread and mention they have them too if you’re looking

 

[Reese11]

My friend had one that just never grew past 5-6" while all his siblings doubled in size. Probably stunted or a dwarf. Kinda wish I bought it when I had the chance

Those are called the runts of the litter but that doesn’t mean they can’t be given more attention to become a healthy ray. Keep them separated so they can get to all the food they need and not have to fight for it with the bigger siblings and they’ll be fine most of the time