Fin Mutations vs. Colour Mutations

[Melody]

Maybe its from working so much with Livebearers, but I figured that colour mutations in fish were quite common as opposed to mutations in finnage. Veils, Hifins, Longfins, etc are so highly prized and carefully bred out, it seemed a logical assumption.

I was reading an article about the return of the Veilfinned Neon in Aquarium Fish International (Feb. '08) and found this assumption corrected. Fin mutations are actually more common, they're just harder to spot and of course, veils and the like are more apt to become victims of predation.

This would also make it inaccurate to say that, for example, a pair of lowfin Swordtails cannot produce a hifin fry, but I already knew that much since the first mutation always comes from normal parents. The more a line is inbred, the more likely such mutations are to appear. It may not be probable, but its possible.

I'm going to be watching fish much more closely for these mutations. You'll see me peering into store tanks eyeing each and every fish, sifting through fry for signs of exceptional finnage and maybe I'll even be checking YOUR fish out for mutations. :wideeyed:

If you'd like to check out the Veilfinned Neons, you can see them here (http://www.aquachov.cz/en/index.html). The fish in the mag have twice the finnage of those though. They remind me of Butterfly Koi. Maybe someday a member here will discover a unique mutation. Don't forget to mention the site when you're famous :wink: .

[DaFishMan]

I like albino longfin lace bn plecos. They'd be alot safer in my tank then SIA's too ! (so says the meeeeeen keyhole cichlid that ate one) :laugh:

[Melody]

<peering into your tank> How long are the normal fins on that Cichlid anyways? I think the ones on yours are ever so slightly longer than average...:Think:

Just wondering!

[grumpystiltskin]

Very interesting Melody.
About a year ago i bought 14 black skirt tetras to help fill up my 240g tank.
They were of various sizes, now a year later most of them are quite big, except one which seemed to stay smaller, and appears to be a bit of a loner, i watch him hiding behind plants, and one day i noticed he has much longer fins than any of the other tetras, almost like the hi fin swords.
I didnt understand why this guy had longer fins, but i can see now how it can happen.
Thanks for sharing the info :smile:

[Melody]

I suppose he was picked on, being slower & weaker from dragging those fins around. Now you have to breed him :smile: .

[grumpystiltskin]

Here are a few pics of the fish.
You can see how much bigger his tail fin is compared to the other fish
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/grumpystiltskin/XmasatGrammaandPapasandBoxingDay213.jpg

and in this one you can see how different all of his fins are, funny enough he wasnt picked on at all
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/grumpystiltskin/XmasatGrammaandPapasandBoxingDay216.jpg

[Pamelajo]

I like albino longfin lace bn plecos.
What exactly is the diff. between a longfin and a lace longfinned?

Mick nice fins, definitely have to try breeding.

[grumpystiltskin]

I dont know how to sex these particular fish, but they are all in the same tank, i,ll leave it up to them to get the job done :yes:
I think they are egg layers ? so possibly not much chance of fry with goodeids in the tank

[Melody]

What exactly is the diff. between a longfin and a lace longfinned?

Just a difference in common names. The Brown longfins are often called Longfin Lace. Its the pattern you see in the finnage, which is also apparent in the Albinos. That's how it was explained to me anyways :smile: .

[Melody]

I dont know how to sex these particular fish, but they are all in the same tank, i,ll leave it up to them to get the job done :yes:
I think they are egg layers ? so possibly not much chance of fry with goodeids in the tank

There are longfin varieties of Black Skirt Tetras, now that I think about it. You probably got a bonus :smile: . Maybe he would be happier with some longfin friends though?

[grumpystiltskin]

There are longfin varieties of Black Skirt Tetras

LOL Here i was thinking i had a mutant, I should look for some more, but i hate buying the fish from that store now im slightly more educated ::D:

[Melody]

I forgot all about them, then I thought that maybe it was just another common name since even the regular ones have nice finnage. I had to look it up. You are not alone...lol..who could keep up? Besides, that doesn't mean you can't build a better machine AND sometimes there's more than one mutation involved AND there's the other colour varieties to outcross to...

::D:

[DaFishMan]

<peering into your tank>...... Just wondering!

I'm not sure on the fin length but my fish look and act different then norm.
Who's that peering in my tank ? :wideeyed: ....... Eek !! :Eek:


Hi Pam :)
I'm not sure if longfin and longfin lace are same or different. It's confusing ?
I can check into but think my tutor got it right :twitcy:


Grumpy, your xmas moss is looking healthy and green :)

[Melody]

I'm not sure on the fin length but my fish look and act different then norm.
Who's that peering in my tank ? :wideeyed: ....... Eek !! :Eek:

Better than peeking in your window... which I hardly ever do. :DevilGrin:

[DaFishMan]

Better than peeking in your window... which I hardly ever do. :DevilGrin:

:Embarassing: I hope you're happy(er) now !!!!

[Melody]

LOL Generally speaking, yes. Need a hug bratt? :hugs: :DevilGrin:

Here's to mutations then! :cheers:

[DaFishMan]

Yes I do :) To Mutations then ! :cheers:

[grumpystiltskin]

Grumpy, your xmas moss is looking healthy and green :)

Thanks, i bought that moss as Taiwan moss, but you never know these days which moss it is lol, there are so many different types,

[DaFishMan]

Thanks, i bought that moss as Taiwan moss, but you never know these days which moss it is lol, there are so many different types,

Thanks for the correction :)
Their fronds are similar but the xmas larger. I had 6 types once, :GEEK:
yet mess up an ID easily lol. Four of my types never made it out of their containers so I didn't get to see the xmas or taiwan in full growth :(

I'm less obssessed with it now, for my own good :yes:
(and I'll keep tellin myself that so I keep believin it ?)

[ChrissyFishy]

I don't know where everyone gets the moss but I like them!!! I thought colours were seen more often to and now I am looking at all my fish to see if they are even a little different. :laugh: You brats are funny!!!!:rofl: