Aussie Emperor Angel Developing Lyre(streamer)!

[FishyMel]

I've had a super dominate Emp now for about 2 years. It started out 4 inches (in adult colors) and now it is a massive 8 inches. The colors have always been stunning on this guy better than any I've seen before and in the past month I can see the start of a lyre forming. Right now it is very small and hard to tell but it is a definite start! I was told this guy was from the phillipines but I thought only Aussies could get the lyre? How long will it take to grow out to something significant? Is this an indication of a super dominate male? He is very aggressive and has taken down many fish including a large fuscus trigger. I'll try to post pics but it is hard to photograph.

 

[FishyMel]

Please excuse my bad camera.

Edginess is the camera not the fish

You can see it pretty well in this pic

He looks much prettier in person, as does his streamer.

 

[agreeive?fish]

A beauty of a fish there..(my cammera and my cammera skills would have to improve before i could say they were terrible)

 

[snorvich]

that is one really gorgeous fish. I did not think the Australian fish developed streamers?!

 

[sean48183]

beautiful fish but I don't see streamers forming. I think that is just the natural bend to his tail. I don't think I have ever seen a emperor with a streamer.

 

[danorth]

 

[FishyMel]

At what maturinty stage does the streamer start forming? This "bend" has been increasing over the past month or so. What would a forming streamer look like?

 

[danorth]

No idea, not much info on that. We'd have to hear from someone that has the experience. What size is your emp?

 

[FishyMel]

8 inches. The way it is forming looks like a how a swordtail molly's sword forms.

 

[myerst2]

Fantastic fish. Whether the angel is developing a streamer is up for debate. Who cares, that is one of the most beautiful and healthy Emps I have seen in a long time. I have a Christmas Island Juvi that I bought when he was about 3 1/2" and is now coming close to 5". He is about 3/4 through the transition. Hopefully I will get a streamer. Also congrats on obvious superb care of your emperor. Without perfect care and feeding that Emp. would not have such vivid colors. Continued success. Regards, Tim

 

[Grouperhead]

Insane looking emp. Great job. :smokin:

 

[sean48183]

Just curious but what do you feed that guy to keep his colors up. The lfs has a real beauty that is around 6" for $100 and I am thinking about picking him up.

 

[FishyMel]

New Life Spectrum pellets help prevent HILE. I also feed PE mysis shrimp, prosalt krill, silversides, formula one, and the occasional fresh caulerpa.

 

[ultimate125]

very nice! how big is your tank?

 

[snorvich]

I think the Christmas Island Emperors do have streamers. Do you feed Nori?

 

[sean48183]

Well I just bought the emperor! He is already out and about and eating off the rocks and harassing some of my fish. He is about 7" and I hope he gets as big and beautiful as yours. How long did it take you to get yours to eat and what tricks did you use?

 

[sean48183]

He also just went to work on my leather coral Oh well Like him better anyway.

 

[Grouperhead]

.

 

[Grouperhead]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12982939#post12982939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishyMel
New Life Spectrum pellets help prevent HILE. I also feed PE mysis shrimp, prosalt krill, silversides, formula one, and the occasional fresh caulerpa.

Spectrum pellets are some of the best food out there imo. my undulatus will eat about 50-75 (estimate) of the small ones in one sitting. they're very clean and do wonders for a fishes color. i always reccomend them.

 

[FishyMel]

Here our some pics of his developement tonight. It is amazing even how much it has changed since 2 days ago.

Bad pic but you can see it in comparison with the rest of his tail
(Spots are water drip marks on the glass not the fish)

Are you guys convinced yet? I will continue documenting its growth on the thread.