Tails of L333 & L066

[Brengun]

It seems its not so easy to tell the difference between L333 and L066 but here some photos which may help.

This is an adult male L333 tail. Note there is not a huge fork in the tail but the tips or filaments are a little longer.

You could call the shape a crescent moon if you like or if you turned the fish the other way a C.

Ignore that the fish is white, I've especially kept him for his white qualities and despite the market name calling them yellowish king tigers, they do come in white as well.

This is an adult female L333 tail. No great fork or even great tail filaments either. Doh ignore the smartie shrimp too.

Now here's where it can confuse some people. This fish is 5.5cm and he is a L333. Actually its the baby photo of the adult male. He is at the gangly stage where the tail has developed and the length of body is there, but he has no width or bulk yet. Rather like a teenager. His tail tips or filaments are quite pronouced and you could be forgiven at this stage for mistaking him for a L066. This is why the side on photos of them are so important and if you are buying them as fry then perhaps a photos of the adults may help to make sure the fry is in fact a L333.

Since there is only allowed 4 pics to a post, see next post for the L066 pics.

[Brengun]

Adult male L066 tail. Note the really long tips or filaments to the tail and a very pronouced V or > by the photo.

Maybe its long to turn the girls on?

No idea what the red thing is on the photo, bit of paper or something.

Here is an adult female L066 who isn't sitting on quite the best angle but look at the crazy long tail tips and V on her!

This is a 4 to 4.5cm L066 juvie who hasn't really even grown the nice tail filaments yet. This is also where parent photos could confirm it is in fact a L066 fry.

So in conclusion, those with young L333 or L066 who aren't quite sure what you have, don't be too hasty in making your decision as juvies can change their appearance quite a lot in a few months. Just be patient and take some more photos later on.

[KiwiBigD]

Great post mate, really does show of the differences.

[__CAV__]

^^ what he said,

great info bren,

you can really see the difference in the adults tails cant you,

also do the L066 have a finer pattern than the 333's,

from your pics the L066 seem to have finer lines than the 333's, is this a way of telling them apart too?

[Brengun]

You could maybe use that as something to look at after assessing the tails but unless the fish is at least over 2 years old I wouldn't bother as it will only do your head in.

All those patterns and swirls, I reckon theres subliminal messages in them if you look long enough lol. I even have an older L066 who as degenerated her lines into areas of spots so there isnt really any rules on patterning.

Here is adult L333 and adult L066. Some are similar in patterning.

That big yellow male L333 up the top looks to be developing finer lines and he probably has by now as I sold him over a year ago.

The 4 whiter L066 are only around 2yrs old whereas the other 2 are 3yrs old.

[Mitch.0]

Fantastic thread, thanks.

Yes, its would appear clear for the adults but OMG the juvi's look the same to me, tail and all.

Does anyone have a photo of the crossbred ones as Im a bit confused how a mix of the two would look. Is the tail more like the L333 (bit chunkier)?

[The Tech Den]

Good thread Bren.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS It baffles me the amount of people wanting to get into L's but do not want to buy books.

The books will pay for themselves many many times over. The more you use them the more they pay for themselves. If you buy a book it will hold its value - if you buy a fish and do not do the research your $50 or $100 fish can become worthless.

Research, books and homework is not a option, it is essential for not only identifying what you are getting but also for the dietary needs, where they come from, the environment to keep, health and good care.

If you would like an opinion, just do not get one, get a few and evaluate the information. Also try and work it out first so that you ask the right questions and question the answers.

[pandapete]

now heres the real test are these fishes patterns the same as zebras on the african plains!!!!!

no two are alike

lmao

[The Tech Den]

Just my thoughts - I think they are different but in some it is minute. Similar yet different. Maybe there is a identical twin out there somewhere.

[Brengun]

now heres the real test are these fishes patterns the same as zebras on the african plains!!!!!

no two are alike

lmao

Thats exactly how I tell who's who once they are a part of my colonies. One has a backwards L on her head, one has an equals sign on the right shoulder, one has a heart on the top between the eyes. I luv that they all have their own special pattern.

Btw if two have markings which look much TOO similar in a female and male, I will split them up as they may be siblings and I don't want inbreeding.

[pandapete]

Its good to see brenda that you take the time and effort to LOOK hard enough at your fish to identify such markings, a sign of a true breeder who loves to breed fish for the joy and interest of breeding them , maybe you could conduct classes and hand out diplomas to those who pass your course!

[Brengun]

A love of taking fish photos helps. At least if I have a few photos of a fish then I tend to leave it alone for a while and not keep peering in the tank for a good look.

Just a bit of tail sticking out from some driftwood is good enough to check they are still alive.

I can play with my fishy pics, zoom in on interesting bits, load it up and look at other peoples photos in forums to make sure mine look like theirs or do I have a quirky one.

It is rather a challenge to get good photos but what I have been doing lately is I bought a little glass betta tank about 8 inches square and 10 inches tall and I put a single fish in the tank and get lots of photos that way. Call it a captive audience lol. Its only a few minutes of annoyance for the fish but those photos can keep me amused in my photo files for ages.