Author Topic: How big are your Harlequins? (Read 7943 times) 41 replies

Aquamaid · « **on:** January 16, 2015, 09:14:05 AM »

I have 9 Congos Tetras in my 230L tank, and they should reach 4 inches, or 10cm long, i wanted to add 12 or so Harlequin Rasbora, and have read they can reach 4 cm or 1.5 inches, which would be a good size, but i have only ever seen tiny ones on sale, which makes me wonder do they ever reach this size? Have any of you had them long enough to know how big they grow please : )

Cod_only_knows · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2015, 11:18:49 AM »

I don't have any harlequins, but my LFS stocks a variety of sizes and some are easily 4cm. The slender or lambchop varieties look similar but are a fair bit smaller. Lovely looking fish!

Aquamaid · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2015, 11:41:13 AM »

Thanks C, i think i am going to have to wait and see if i can find bigger ones $:-\$

Richard W · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2015, 11:48:02 AM »

The reason most fish you buy are smaller than the adult lengths given is that they are young. You are better off buying young fish as they are likely to live longer and so be a better buy in the long run. If you buy full size fish, they could already be old, there is no way to tell. Given that you have a large tank, if you make sure you feed enough they should grow quickly.

Cod_only_knows · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2015, 12:02:04 PM »

I agree with Richard. I also love watching younger fish settle into the tank and 'colour up' as they do so. My Xray Tetra have incredible colours now, blood red tails and luminous yellow and white banded fins. They look so different to the pale washed out fish I purchased. Whilst fish of all ages will display better colours once settled, I do think that its even more pronounced in younger fish. Rainbows are renowned for this so you're in for a treat!

Also, the small ones in my LFS are about a third cheaper than the larger ones!

Aquamaid · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2015, 12:14:54 PM »

Thanks all, well my last three Congos were half the size of the other six but still the same price $:-\$ but they are probably the bravest of the lot

well i might have to go buy harlequins at the weekend then, and if they are small maybe i can get 8 instead of 6 as i planned

Sue · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2015, 12:24:43 PM »

The number of harlies should be equal to one third of the body mass of the fish already in there. So if you have 9 congo tetras, you can get as many as are equal to 3 congos. If the harlies are half the size of the congos, you can get six. If they are two thirds the size you can get four.

Aquamaid · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2015, 03:41:18 PM »

Thanks Sue, i think i got a bit sidetracked with thread, i actually wanted to know how big the Harley's got as they always seem very "wee" in the shops and i wondered if they ever really made the estimated 4cm mark?

fishcake76 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2015, 08:55:38 PM »

Hi AM,

Seriously fish says they get to 3.5-4.5 cm at most. I always thought you should buy fish based on their adult size, so you may only get tiddlers but you allow for the fact that they will grow?? Maybe not in big tanks like yours??

FC76

Aquamaid · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2015, 09:35:54 PM »

Thanks FC, i was thinking they may be too small and look a bit lost in the tank, but i guess if they didn't grow very big a lot larger group would be ok.

fishcake76 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2015, 09:51:07 PM »

I've started to chuckle everytime I see this thread now! I can't help reading the title with a Frankie Howard voice!!

It's a rather personal question in my opinion and not something I'm prepared to share (at least not on this forum!!!)

FC76

naughtymoose · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2015, 09:54:54 PM »

Yes, I was thinking the same! fnrr, fnrr...

Aquamaid · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2015, 08:09:01 AM »

Oh what a "Carry On", wait till i want to know about moss balls

Wild Rover · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2015, 11:03:03 PM »

Have you seen Purple Harley's?

http://www.seriouslyfish.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Trigonostigma-heteromorpha-BLUE-X84245-.jpg

Mine have a much redder face than these, bright scarlet in some of them and they look spectacular when schooling. They were pretty small when I got them but have grown a lot and are still doing so. I love them, will post a vid soon when my diatoms have cleared up. Oooer missus

naughtymoose · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2015, 11:21:24 PM »

Purple Harleys are a sure sign that your lady is wearing a bra that is MUCH too small!

All joking aside, my missus saw the Purple Harlequins in MA and wasn't particularly impressed.

Looking forward to the video Wild...

Aquamaid · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2015, 08:39:07 AM »

My local MA has both and i must admit i am torn between the two, but i think the purple are even smaller than the regular Harleys, and i'm alread worried the Congos (who i believe have teeth?) might see them as pick n mix

fishcake76 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2015, 09:06:37 AM »

They are very pretty but have they been injected with dye to go that colour or is it a 'natural' mutation?
FC76

Aquamaid · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2015, 09:42:14 AM »

According to "Seriously fish" they are legit

Wild Rover · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:49:05 AM »

fc76 They are completely natural

AM They will be fine with Congo's

Aquamaid · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2015, 03:40:57 PM »

I opted for 6 ordinary Harleys, was frightened even they might get eaten, but so far so good, a lot of excitement in tank today

How Big Are Your Harlequins?

How Big Are Your Harlequins?

Author Topic: How big are your Harlequins? (Read 7943 times) 41 replies

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