I also believe it is very important to closely examine all individuals purchased, and eliminate any from the breeding group with any semblance of deformity.
In any group I kept, if I saw the slightest kink in the spine, mouth or gill curl, or any body mutation (such as a short body, (I know some people like this)) the fish was taken out of the breeding group, and not allowed to spawn.
I once received a group of Tomocichla asfraci, all but 1 of 10 appeared to be mildly to outrageously deformed.
Most ended up as feeders.
I discussed this with another aquarist who also received a largely deformed group, and we joked about producing the next version of a blood parrot, with the groups, but opted against another monstrosity.
He ended up with my only none deformed individual.
In any group I kept, if I saw the slightest kink in the spine, mouth or gill curl, or any body mutation (such as a short body, (I know some people like this)) the fish was taken out of the breeding group, and not allowed to spawn.
I once received a group of Tomocichla asfraci, all but 1 of 10 appeared to be mildly to outrageously deformed.
Most ended up as feeders.
I discussed this with another aquarist who also received a largely deformed group, and we joked about producing the next version of a blood parrot, with the groups, but opted against another monstrosity.
He ended up with my only none deformed individual.
