[john walsh]

These are beautiful little fish regardless of a positive identification.
About 10 weeks ago I was supplied with a group of fish via Ruinemans described as P. Phoenicurus (they are still on Ruinemans stock list). Just like described by Helene, they were small and not showing much colour, but under torch light the larger part of the caudal fin was showing as a vibrant red. They have grown on a bit but I think I too have just a couple of males and there is no discernible courtship behaviours and so I am yet to see them in their full colours to confirm or deny their identification. The dominant male stays largely in the same place under the heater, and the body shape is much like Helene’s photographs. I wonder if we have the same fish? Time will tell.
Looking at these photographs, I wonder id p. opalios should also be considered. There are few good photographs of Opalios to compare against, but I think it is a close match.