Visible Difference Between Tropheus Red Rainbow Variants?

[algarciajr]

Geoff, you always have nicely detailed responeses.

[jeebus]

Red Rainbows are a very complicated variant. There is roughly 4 locations reported where they collect them.

The differences are very subtle unless you have seen or seen pictures of each side by side.

The biggest differences are in the Dorsal Color. The Dorsal color is going to range from lots of red to purple because of the amount of blue. The Body color is also going to change somewhat because certain variants have a much larger yellow sunspot than others.

The problem arises, because for a very long time their locations were "secret" The Red Rainbow used to always be sold as "Tanazanian Red Rainbow" They never started disclosing the locations until Konnings brought out the Natural Habitat Book with photos. That book really opened a lot of eyes and exporters now had to start disclosing some locations.

The issues now with the Red Rainbow types is that you have Burundi Farms selling pondraised "Red Rainbows" They are not disclosing the location, but yet they are in Burundi. So this means they got the fish from someone or they went there and collected. Then you have your southern collectors that know the locations and sell by location. Katanlamba, Kambwimba, Kasanga, and Kapere are locations that I have seen on lists over the years, and people have posted pics of them. The differences are minimal really.

Thank you, I think this is the most correct answer I'll find, and was why I started the thread. I guess I should have just pm'd you. )

The more I read and surf the net, the more I find different variants that are so close it almost seems trivial, as if its all a cruel joke set up by those on the lake just to watch us hobbyists try to figure out which of two of the same fish are which!

--

The rest is just my reply to Geoff for those not interested..

Otherwise if your pieceing together, either try for the same nomenclature, or mix them and sell them as "Red Rainbows." The fish are beautiful. I like the weird odd-ball guys, but there is no one out there that cannot say the Tropheus Red Rainbow variants are some of the most colorful the species has to offer.

This is what I had conceded to do a few months ago. It seemed that if all the big importers were content to only call them that and not by their collection point, then I should stop trying to swim up stream myself and do the same.

Most importantly, they are your fish. You are the one that has to be happy with them. The happier you are with the fish, the better care they will recieve. That is most important of all.

100% AGREE.

When it comes time to sell fry, just be open honest about it. I hate it when retailers or Hobbyist lie. This is another reason people persue the importers of the wild fish. They have their reputations at stake on internet forums around the world. If they are honest, they will tell you the truth, show you pictures, and the invoice if needed.

Well, this has been the other reason I've asked so many questions, started so many threads, made so many posts, and annoyed so many people. I always said that if I ever had fry (which I have 11 of right now!) that I wanted to be able to know what I was selling so that I could advertise them correctly and honestly. It seems that my wonderful wife and I picked the most controversial variant to keep as our first colony lol..

Otherwise...lets love our fishes. They bring us all a great joy, or none of us would be here, posting questions, and comments.

Preach it!

[geoff_tropheus]

Glen,

I would sell your 11 Tropheus Rainbow fry as Tankraised or F1* (if all your adults are wild), and call them Tropheus moorii "Tanzanian Red Rainbow."

That way your covered no matter what. No one could argue any of that.

[jeebus]

That will be the easy part, getting Kim to sell "her babies", well.. that's another issue all together!

[geoff_tropheus]

I always sell all my fry, even if I have to give them away.

This way my colonies stay 100% what they are. Only when I cannot get more do I get other types.

Meaning if my colony is all wild, I keep them all wild.

If my colony is all tankraised, I get tankraised and etc..

If I dont care, I get pondraised, tankraised, wildcaught, does not matter as long as I have seen the breeding stock or the adults I am buying whatever..

[myjohnson]

Glen,

I would sell your 11 Tropheus Rainbow fry as Tankraised or F1* (if all your adults are wild), and call them Tropheus moorii "Tanzanian Red Rainbow."

That way your covered no matter what. No one could argue any of that.

+ 1. Just keeping it honest is always good.

Glen,

You got nice fishes man. Don't be all stressed out and just ENJOY them. I want dibs on fry!

[geoff_tropheus]

Glen if you post some pics or PM them to me, I might be able to help pin down a location if your wanting that.

I would be happy just seeing pictures of your fish either way...

[jstuver]

I am the one that asked about location on trophs.com and I appreciate all the answers here it has really helped me out. The 15 I have are F1 & F2 that I got from a local hobbiest and he purchased them from Russ Ustler. I just wasn't sure if I needed to keep them all Kasanga as that is what they are in case at some point down the road I would want to sale. Hopefully I won't be selling them but you never know and I didn't want to get yelled out down the road for not keeping them all the same.

Thanks guys and girls:)


Jackie

[jeebus]

Well, I've yet to see anyone freak out because a couple of Kambwimba were mixed with a group of Kasanga. I know mine have to be a mix as well.

I'm content to just call mine "Red Rainbows", but you just never know with fish people. They can be VERY fickle!

[katytropheus]

Jeebus,

My RR's are primarily from the same place as yours (store wise). Geoff made a good point on one distinction--the size of the yellow "spot". All but one of mine have a yellow hue for almost the entire body. One of the RR's has something close to what you would see on a Pineapple or Katoto. I really like the variant just like you--more consistent intense coloration than a lot of Ilangi's, just an opinion of course.

H