Afraid that might be the last update for a short while. Been building an extension to my fish house. Was gonna add a new grow on pond. But to move tanks around I have had to move fish, so moved the variegatus into the floating mesh basket in the main pond. Decent size, gets the flow of the main pond and all the fish get accustomed, great for acclimatising new additions. But she was not supposed to be a new addition, just temporary.
I forgot that she previously jumped a tank divider to get to the jau.
So she has let herself into the main pond with the Wyckii.
Seeing her occasionally but only fleeting glances. As you know , my pond has lots of rock, bog wood and pipes. Lots of hiding, which is obviously why I can keep a group of 8 feather fins with redtail and wyckii.
So at 16” and real chunky, white underbelly and now a grey colour with gold/brown/green in her tail and fins she has moved herself into the main pond where photo opportunities are rare.
I am wondering if the eventual size is a little unknown on this fish simply because adult coloration is nothing like fish under 12”.