Boesemani Rainbowfish

[lreilly]

I ordered three of the boesmani rainbows, they came in to the lfs today. They are about three inches long, but the lack the color of the pictures I have seen posted here. They are mostly silver. One has a slight rust color along the back fins. Will there color get better with an improved diet or age? What can be done to help them out in the color field. They look healthy other than that. Any ideas?

 

[Keeper]

i know that stress can cause color fluctuations. Once they get settled in your tank and feel comfortable as well as get the proper heating they should perk up. Also, i'm not sure if its the same with rainbows, but my young guppies are getting more colorful as they age.

HTH

 

[medge00]

rainbows definitely get better looking when not stressed and when they get older

 

[madasafish]

This is a perennial problem that often keeps Boesemanis in stores far longer than they would otherwise! Don't be discouraged. With the proper diet and a stress-free environment, *all* Boesemani rainbows relax and allow their color to shine. Admittedly, some strains are more beautiful than others, but I doubt you have three duds there.

Out of interest, how much did you pay for them (if you're ok telling us)? I've seen prices as low as $5 each online, and as high as $17 each in stores, depending on size. I'm sure 3.5-4" fully-grown Boesemanis with fantastic color go for up to $50 (or more) in stores all the time.

 

[lreilly]

That's what I was hoping. They just got them in today so they had just been shipped. I have never seen them in person before so it just made me nervous. I am not going to pick them up until next week so hopefully by then they will have calmed down a bit.

 

[lreilly]

I am getting them for $8.71 apiece. They special ordered them for me.

 

[madasafish]

That's a very good price for them at a store, esp. if they're 3". I got mine for $8.99, and I was psyched! Then again, he also had fantastic color at the store. (I am getting more of them, but I'm strapped for cash with the plecos I'm buying ATM)...

 

[lreilly]

I bought a Queen arabesque pleco a month ago and it cost me $25 so I know where the money goes, it could have been more. I am glad it's a good deal, because I have not payed for them yet, and they guy all ways gives me at least a 10% discount, so even better. Thank you so much for the information on them.


By the way yours are beautiful, I was refereing to yours when I was talking about color.

 

[webmoose]

My really dominate one colors up almost all the time.. The other 2 color up depending on mood. The last one doesn't really color up so I am hoping it is female.. Even when they are not colored up when they are in the tank from the store they still look great. In my lighting at home they look silvery blue.

I hope they work out as good for you as they have for me. madasafish convinced me on them and I haven't looked back since!!

 

[madasafish]

Aww... I'm touched!

Yeah, my Queen Arabesque (1.5" at the time) cost me $25, Ireilly. Great price, really. These guys usually go for well over $30 or $40. I'm bidding on three more right now (3-4" each), and hope to have them next week. I'm trying to breed plecos right now (and I'm working with a Loricariid specialist this summer at the American Museum of Natural History). They're my new obsession, and I think I'll keep this enthusiasm. These guys are a challenge to breed and observe! I like a challenge!

 

[madasafish]

I'm especially glad to hear you guys have warmed up to these Boesemanis because I really think they are often underappreciated, esp. on this site (not a blame thing, this is just how it is). These really are some of the most spectacular FW fishes, and their irridescence just doesn't photograph well, so it's tough for ppl to get enthusiastic about them when they're researching them online.

Thanks for listening!

 

[webmoose]

I think mine are 2" or so. I look forward to them growing and becoming even more colourful. Good luck with the pleco breeding.. hehe. I bet it would be a challenge.. Its a challenge even to get mine to come out for a visit.

 

[lreilly]

They are really a pretty fish, I would have never of known from just looking at them in the store. When they are the most stressed. I am gald you have such wonderful ones to share with us.

Here is a picture of my QA. He is a monster, nearly full grown.
(out of a million pictures this is the only one of him.)

 

[Keeper]

he's huge. does he uproot any of your plants?

 

[lreilly]

No. Well he did move one. That is His corner, (usually darker with more cover). I re-aranged the tank and put a plant in his spot. He went back to his spot and flipped his tail until the plant was floating. Other than that. He leaves things alone.

I will add he is fiercely nocturnal, insanely stubborn, but lets me touch him.

 

[Menagerie]

I will add he is fiercely nocturnal, insanely stubborn, but lets me touch him.

Sounds like a cat I once owned

 

[lreilly]

He does kind of remind me of a cat. An evil little cat. He has those eyes. I named him grumpy.

 

[madasafish]

What size is he? 4-5 inches?

 

[lreilly]

I just broke out the tape measure, and he is a good four inches. If not more, kind of hard to be right on. He has got at least an inch and a half in width in his widest spot.

 

[madasafish]

Wow! The three more I'm getting next week should be about that size. That's a great price for a fully-grown QA.