Vieja maculicauda (black belt) experience
- Thread starter darthodo
- Start date
Here's my old male from a few years ago.
Unfortunately, the big guy is in fishy heaven now.....made it about ten years though! Now I have another pair from the same source in the pond. They're about 7-8" now and coloring up nicely for their size. In my experience, that's about the size when their color really starts to pop. They can get WELL over a foot in length and are massive fish at that size since they are so tall (and can be thick).
As for sexing, it can be done visually (just google for some images) but venting is, of course, a more dependable method.
With respect to aggression, they can be one of the more aggressive vieja types (fenes are probably the only that is more aggressive). They will certainly rule a tank if given the chance.
Unfortunately, the big guy is in fishy heaven now.....made it about ten years though! Now I have another pair from the same source in the pond. They're about 7-8" now and coloring up nicely for their size. In my experience, that's about the size when their color really starts to pop. They can get WELL over a foot in length and are massive fish at that size since they are so tall (and can be thick).
As for sexing, it can be done visually (just google for some images) but venting is, of course, a more dependable method.
With respect to aggression, they can be one of the more aggressive vieja types (fenes are probably the only that is more aggressive). They will certainly rule a tank if given the chance.
Damn! That fish was a stunner! What size was he in the picture? Mine at 12" wasn't much to look at...
Your aggression statement is probably true, I never had mine in a situation where aggression would actually play out, like I said I seperated mine when I bred them. I can see them being pretty aggro though.
Your aggression statement is probably true, I never had mine in a situation where aggression would actually play out, like I said I seperated mine when I bred them. I can see them being pretty aggro though.
Tug;2957722; said:
He was about a foot in that photo. He made it to the 14" range.......quite a monster, but not the largest I've seen. Conkel shipped a BEAST to a lfs a few years back. The fish couldn't easily turn in a 125! If he was a little cleaner I'd have grabbed the old man!
Regarding color, there's a ton of variability in this species (they're very widespread in CA). It's good to be able to see large specimens of a particular line before purchasing.
cchhcc;2957614; said:
When I've Googled black belts the males tend to have more red IMO. If I had a GOOD venting reference I may be able to do it. I've never been able to sex Paratheraps or Vieja species very well at all.
cchhcc;2957825; said:
Good to know. It would seem black belts are the largest of the Viejas. I've read about some monsters before.
I have one in my 150 gallon. He is the most dominant in the tank, the 10" Jaguar even backs down from him.
