The Sire is a cambodian-based HMPK with a nice intense red color and minimal iridescence. The caudal has a nice D-shape, the front rays of the dorsal are nicely directed forward and the anal is nicely trapezoid-shaped. The ventrals have a volume and shape with nice single tips. The Dame is a cambodian-based red HMPK  female with a good red coverage on the body and minimal traces of iridescence. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin could be a bit broader with the first rays a bit longer.
With this cross I hope to fix the intense red color, the strong bodies, smooth topline and balanced finnage. The offspring (F2) will be cambodian-based red HMPK.

01/01/21: The pair spawned.
02/01/21: The fry hatched, looks like a nice sized spawn.
04/01/21: The fry (~20-30) entered the free-swimming stage and the Sire was removed.
31/01/21: The fry is now 4 weeks old feeding well on newly hatched BBS and chopped tubifex. Their swimbladders already are nicely stretched.

14/02/21: At 6 weeks of age the fry is starting to show a nice red color on head and body.

06/03/21: The fry is now 9 weeks old and the color on their bodies is getting more intense.

21/03/21: At 11 weeks of age, the most of the fry show a nice intense, full red coverage on the body and finnage. The first males are already showing off in the grow-out tank and it is time to jar the first males!

05/04/21: Impression of six young red HMPK males from this spawns which have been jarred two weeks ago.

16/05/21: Impression of two red HMPK brothers at 19 weeks of age!

03/10/21: My favorite red HMPK male from this spawn at 39 weeks of age.