I have Blue Dempseys from 3 different ‘lines’ (I know they are ultimately related but they are distant). So I’ve watched quite a few go from babies to young adults. Their coloration and patterns change drastically and constantly…
Hollywood is selling them a little earlier/younger than most others and I think that’s why we see the different body shape. Let them grow a little and they will gain the typical Blue Dempsey shapes.
I have 8 babies from Hollywood and they have changed in both color and body shape in just the couple weeks I’ve had them. I would suspect he is growing out a lot of fish in limited space and this may increase their short tall look. I dropped my 8 into a 6’ tank and within 2 weeks noticed them looking longer and therefore less disproportionate.
Yes Hollywood’s first pair of Blue Producing Dempseys came through Ormed. I would assume he has or is creating new breeding pairs, but they are from Ormed’s line…
I’m personally convinced that the differences in body shape between typical JDs and Blues is the result of generations of inbreeding. We have seen deformities and other changes due to inbreeding in many other species. I also believe with a lot of work most of their ‘genetic’ weaknesses can be overcome, although this is an arguable point…
