BD Hybrid Difference

[TurtleBoy422]

Have a question that might be opening a can of worms .......
How do you define the difference in Black Diamond Rays nowadays?? What I mean is how do you know what is a pure bred and what is a Hybrid? I understand what Hydrids are, but how do you know by simply looking at a ray ? Everything seems to be a Hybrid you see for sale. Are there even “pure bred” BD rays anymore ?
Kind of feel like rays are going like how Discus were in the 90s and there were a million and one different color strains popping up everywhere.

These are two of my BD. Would these be pure BD or Hybrid ??
Thanks
Tom

 

[Black_Diamond]

Are these two related? The best way to tell is the tail, would need a better picture of the tips of the tails.

 

[suckerfish]

And a full shot of that eel!!!

 

[TurtleBoy422]

They are not related ... here are a few more pics of the tails
The way I understand it, is a BD and Leopoldi are scientifically speaking the same fish. Black Diamond is just a common name for a specific pattern and look. I guess a better way to ask my question is there any such thing as a pure Leopoldi anymore ?

 

[TurtleBoy422]

Here’s one of the eel... he’s a monster

 

[Black_Diamond]

Yes there are definitely pure Black Diamonds. The Ray in the first pic with the large flag on his tail is more than likely a pure BD, the other one not so much. Partial for sure but couldn't call it pure 100% in my opinion. If someone has another opinion I'd be open to hearing it.

 

[Black_Diamond]

Sweet Eel, that's a true monster right there!

 

[TurtleBoy422]

This is the sibling of the “Black Diamond”
Had a tail infection when is was smaller and lost a couple inches off the tip.

 

[Black_Diamond]

Oh man poor boy! So what you're looking for is a large flag like piece of flesh above the spine of the tail. If its long like about 1/4 to 1/2 inch then thats a BD but if skinnier then they are hybrids.

 

[Preacher]

Hats off! Gorgeous tank beautiful rays! Side note what are the dimensions of the tank?