Which are the most beautiful and hardy Pearlscales, the Crowns or the Tikus?

Depends on your preference. Both are beautiful, and both have similar requirements.

Our local lfs usually import gf from Thailand and Singapore and their stocklists' Pearscales are usually the veiltailed variety. Which would be the best option to specify when ordering (between Crowns & Tikus) and maybe get some grade specimens?

Thanks

As d_golem says it really is down to personal preference Veiltailed crowns are very majestic and are slightly larger than pearl tikus. Their bodies have a slightly leaner shape. The tiku has a very short almost stubby tail and (in a perfect specimen) a very robust round body that viewed from above looks as round as a ball. On a show pearlscale the lines of pearls should be uninterrupted all the way around with no broken or missing pearls.

There are many variations/crosses of tiku and veiltail too- the Hamanishiki for example is a crown tiku. I think you need to see a pic and go with your heart.

Hmm veiltail? U sure veiltail? Cos I've never seen or heard mention of veiltail pearlie from thailand or singapore before. Maybe it's ruffled or broadtail?

Anyway, I dunno if ur LFS is able to order just ONE fish for you, you know. Mine won't order any if it's only me interested. Gotta have demand before ordering or it'll go to waste. If they do, well, then specify that you'd like a grade AAA of the variety of your choice. Gotta have AAA or AA. A is the lowest commercial grade so u don't want that. U also gotta know what to look for in a grade AAA fish so that ur not getting fooled around by ur LFS maybe trying to pass a grade A as AAA.

I know what you mean d_golem. Some months ago I ordered some AAA Ryukins from Thailand. The red & whites were ok, although the best 2 fish had a missing anal fin (!!!) and the Calicos are very poor specimens with broad heads.

Can you please suggest some good pics/sites of pretty Pearlscales?

Pretty pearlscales eh?

For pics of pretty pearlies, go to the link below and click on the pearlies links:
http://geocities.com/greenngoldsg/studio/studio-catalog.html

Here's one more link from the same site:
http://geocities.com/greenngoldsg/diary/mf...pearlscale.html

Last year I went to a farm in Indonesia and man they got some of the best tikus I've ever seen. Here are some pics:

WOW.........EXCELLENT

THANKS for sharing your pics.

TIKUS are at first sight

d golem, those pearlscales are amazing!!! expically the 2nd and 3rd pic. they are so wide!!!
I have a AA grade pearlscale. He is in my avatar. The photo was taken at a wierd angle thru the glass, that is why he looks kinda thin.

fuzzy peaches, your pearlscale is likely of the type known as the Classical Chinese pearlscale.

For me this one is a perfect tiku. How much was that one selling for Riz, out of interest.
In my dreams probably .

At that time I wasn't there to buy so I didn't ask the price but I figure must be very expensive. I agree with you that Tiku pearlie doesn't bet much better than that.

i figured that with his longer tail.

^not just because of the tail. The shape of the body as well...

Most Pearlies imported by local LFS (usually from Singapore & Thailand) look like the ones in this pic. Do they fall under a specific subcatergory or are they simply "Commercial Pearlscales" deriving from the Chinese Chin Choo Yu?

Oh my word those Tiku's are extreme! They are my favourite kind of fancy but dont particularly like them that rounded. To me there is something slightly grotesque about it but bizarrely also quite sweet.

Hmmm dunno about the Chin Coo Yu thing, but I simply call them short-tailed pearlscale. If they're (much) more rounded they'd be Tikus

I think your Thai importer is the same as in my LFS lol the pearlies are totally identical