Robert Paulson the Salminus brasiliensis (Argentinian Golden Dorado) growout thread

[DB junkie]

Figured it was time for an update on Robert Paulsen - The Argentinian "big headed" Dorado.

Very glad I took the gamble on this guy, have never been happier about a hunch.

BIG huge thanks to Wes (Fugupuff) for making it happen.

How fitting that the guy who also did the phenominal Dorado write up- that seems to conclude this fish is really what it was sold as (a very un-common species of Dorado)- is also named Rob. Thank you Rob for doing such extensive work on researching a fish you don't even have yet. I'm sorry I can't get better pics for you to use, but this guy just never quits moving, and I'm naturally terrible at making things look good (especially pics). My nature is to make things work, not look good.

First pic is the first good one I got of him back towards the end of March. I think he showed up about 4 inches. Easily over 7 now and just thick for his length compared to the Frankies I have here, which have been here for probobly a year and arrived at 7-8". I'm guessing the Brassy will catch the Frankies in size by fall.

 

[DB junkie]

A vid took today. Sure loves his Massivore.

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[djaalix]

He is a beauty man, still cant get over the belly on him permanently! Haha, very nice and unique set up as well ... I especially like the 3rd pic, they certainly know who feeds them! And you can almost hear all the fish saying feed me feed me feed me

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[Chub_by]

Very nice! Such a powerful fish.

 

[DB junkie]

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Right after arrival........

 

[DB junkie]

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Roughly a month after arrival (around 2 months ago)

 

[DB junkie]

He is a beauty man, still cant get over the belly on him permanently! Haha, very nice and unique set up as well ... I especially like the 3rd pic, they certainly know who feeds them! And you can almost hear all the fish saying feed me feed me feed me

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This setup is really catered for the baby rays. I love my filtration but sadly this system kind of lacks. Pups don't seem to enjoy the kind of turnover I typically run. The system is about 180 gallons with the sump. 200/100 socks, scrubbies and rings, Fluval 405 to a 18 watt terrible twist (joke of a UV), along side a mag 12 return. Tank is 4x3x1.5.

Something worth mentioning..... This setup doesn't get many or big water changes. The TDS levels are crazy high compared to my tanks that are on drips, but again, the pups don't seem to do well on drips or big water changes, so..... I imagine the crazy growth rate would be even crazier in a typical setup here with a drip (100+ gallons a day), very little nitrate, and much higher turnover. I'll find out next month when the Tor arrive and Robert joins them in one of the larger systems. May even add the Tor and Robert to the tank with the group of Odoe. Can't wait to see how this guy does with tank mates, but on the flip side I regret not adding something to his tank sooner, but am crazy scared of any other fish damaging him given how hard it would be to replace him, so have been being crazy careful with him. Hadn't really planned on raising any lil guys after the Odoe so definetly could have planned better.

 

[djaalix]

Interesting, I would have thought the pups would like higher turnover and water changes ... good to know .... the dimensions of that tank seem perfect for rays and I'm sure the dorado loves swimming in a big circle! And I hear ya with being careful with him, not likely to see more for quite a while, better to be safe than sorry, although I am excited to see his growth when he gets moved to an even bigger set up ... I'm not at home today, but I'll check the vids when I get to my pc tomorrow ... a little something to look forward to

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[DB junkie]

Other opinions may vary, but I've had terrible luck with pups here. Over the years tried different things and seem to have the best luck just kinda leaving pups alone for the first few months or half year before getting real crazy on water changes. As long as it's stocked low parameters don't get crazy, the WCs aren't near as necessary without the huge bio load. I had terrible luck pluming the pup tank off the main system. I suspect with massive feeding parameter swings screw with the pups. What I'll end up doing is since Mom's used to these swings, I'll leave a smaller tank running off the main system, move mom to isolate from other rays, once pups are born cut that tank off the main system, move mom, transfer some bio to a filter for that tank and hope they're ok.

The turnover - seems much easier to feed without the current and so much less food ends up in the filter to foul.

Again just my opinion. Maybe my pups are extra fragile since they likely don't enjoy the 8.5 PH???

As far as a bigger tank he'll just be going from a 4x3 to a 6x3. There's a pair of each here. I usually run a Dart/Dolphin on each tank and 2 on the big one. It seemed like the Dorado in the 750 grew much thicker, with a larger tail, making me think the current should be the same so maybe it was the space that changed growth, but now I'm starting to wonder if I might possibly have M/F Frankys or if space really does affect how they grow..... Even another 2' of tank should get him up to where he can go meet the wolf in the big boy tank.

I love having rays, but having Payara landed me on fish sites. Didn't even know there were FW rays till afterwards. Learning is half the fun with this stuff....

 

[Chicxulub]

I can't wait to see this guy super sized and in the big tank. He looks great! He seems to be a very powerful fish. I can't wait to see all three of your dorados grown out and doing well in the big tank.

Those motoro pups look great!

Also, where the heck are you getting Tor? I've been looking for a while with no luck. Putitora is one of my favorite fish.