Half black P. Socolofi?

[NotoriousSway]

Out of my 2 female Pseudotropheus Socolofi that I bred about 3 (out of 50+) were half black. I noticed this very early in their development, about the same time they started showing color (1/4"), they are now 1"+. Is this some type of melanistic color morph?

Here are some very bad pics but you get the point.

 

[livebearerfreak]

hmmm could be gene mutation?

 

[valderi123]

cool.

 

[NotoriousSway]

anyone else?

 

[NotoriousSway]

bump

 

[Mokujin22]

Are the dark blotches on both sides of the fish? Are they covering more of the body as the fish ages?

Check out this link from cichlidae:

http://www.cichlidae.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2078

I've had this happen in the faces of some haps before. I believe it to be some sort of genetic defect affecting the nervous system of the fish. Not sure if it is the same, being the body and not the head though.

http://forums.*****************.org/showthread.php?t=5657&highlight=melanin+defect

Hope this helps.

 

[NotoriousSway]

yes its on both sides but has not grown in size.