On Sat, 03 Dec 2005 20:13:38 GMT, "John Pelura, III"
wrote:

I've been to this site http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html
in an attempt to distinguish between the SAE and FSAE. I had a SAE for
about 5 years and he or she just died. I went to my LFS and they had
three, what they were advertising as, SAE. They are very small and I
noticed that the black stripe does not go to the fork of the tail. I
believe that they may be FSAE. I got them anyway.

I was wondering if the stripe goes to the tail from birth(hatching) or
does it get there with a little bit of age?

I'm color blind so the yellow fins doesn't do me any good. The black
stripe to the fork of the tail is what I rely on, without black on the
other fins.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

John

Sounds like you were sold FSAEs. What are your options? You have the
fish home. Can you return them?

I have 17 SAEs in 3 tanks. They have lived there over 2 years. I
don't recall their size when I got them, but they are a joy to have in
any tank. I see no yellow on fins nor body. I understand they have
long lives. I did have one die. No symptoms, just swam less and one
morning it was dead.

I have the impression that FSAEs are not good community fish, too
aggressive. Adult size would worry me also. While I did worry the
first year about the growth of my SAEs, they did grow to 5 inches, I
have heard they can grow much bigger.

Good luck

dick