Merodontotus tigrinus

megacat · Post by **megacat** » 21 May 2007, 16:41

I just bought 2 of them and would like to know if the red colour on the side of their face or I guess they are called gill plates is normal when they are young. I looked at the pic's that are on the site of young ones and they have the red colour as well. I checked my water about 20 times and it is fine should I be worried or not?
Thanks

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 21 May 2007, 17:55

Tests can only show you pH , hardness results etc.

If your fish are very small the redness shows through the gill covers but this fades as they grow.

If there was an unknown pollutant in the tank your fish would probably exhibit other symptoms such as quick breathing hanging in the water in an un-natural posture etc - if the fish look "right" there's probably not much to worry about. is there something suspect which is worrying you? Is there any change in the fish from how they looked at the dealer? And as always - a picture paints a thousand words so one could highlight something to contributors in these forums.

keep us posted

megacat · Post by **megacat** » 21 May 2007, 19:44

Thanks I know test can only show the results for ph and such. I was just making sure the water had no ammonia and nitrite.The fish look the same and ate the first day. I only got them last night and was just checking if the red is common on young fish. You gave me the answer I was looking for thank you.

swong · Post by **swong** » 29 May 2007, 20:19

Red cheek is perfectly normal for young Tigrinus.
It will disappear as the fish growth.
You are from Canada?
I found Tigrinus is very difficult to come by in Canada. Which city are you from???

megacat · Post by **megacat** » 30 May 2007, 05:30

I am from T.O. They are not hard to come by you just have to know where they are sitting. I say sitting because it is hard for the guy's to sell them because of the prise. I found them at one place they were there for 2 months. I went in and talked the guy down. The only reason he sold me them for the prise I gave him is because he knew I was his only chance. If you live in the same city let me know I can talk to some people and send you to them if they have some.

swong · Post by **swong** » 30 May 2007, 20:53

Thanks Megacat!
I am from Edmonton, Alberta.
I see them from time to time in a big store in Calgary. But the quality weren't great. I meant the stripe pattern. They asked for over $1100.
2 years ago, I ordered 1 from Florida. She came in at 8". I raised her to 15" before I killed her by accident. Early this year, I bought a 15" from a follow who order directly from Peru. She wouldn't eat and finally died after a couple months.
By the way, would you mind telling me how much you paid?