Jumbo H. smithi...

[Jim Powers]

Here is a pic of my largest H. smithi. This is the largest specimen of this species I have ever seen. This is a very reclusive fish that is difficult to photograph. I finally found it in position to take a good pic and there was patch of algae on the glass in front of its face.
You can see just how large this fish is, though. Its between 2.5 -2.75" in length.

[Mad Duff]

Very nice Jim

Is it always that chunky or could it be eggs

[helen nightingale]

how big do they normally get? it is beautifull Jim

[Jim Powers]

Mark;
Its always that big.
Helen;
2.5" is typically the maximum size although most large specimens I have had or seen were more like 2.25". This fish isn't some kind of freak or anything...its just about as big as they get.

[Emma Turner]

What an impressive beast!

Emma

[bullisbm]

Jim,

Did that thing eat another fish? That one is huge!

[Jim Powers]

The funny thing is, I don't see this fish much, but it is obviously eating well. I do see it and the other not quite as large (male?) smithi occasionally dart down out of the shadows, grab a bloodworm or two and dart back.