Interesting Longnose, what is it?

[chefrific]

I found this pic of a "black" longnose that was caught in Georgia. It was at this site http://www.garfishing.com/
Found it interesting, what morph would this be? And how common is this seen?

 

[repsol46]

wow., first time i've seen one of those.,

 

[Polypterus]

It is just a Melanistic.. Not an uncommon color form really. In some populations it is seen seasonally in others year round. This colour morph usually is not present until the fish matures but has been seen in Young of the year in one documented drainage in Virginia.

 

[demjor19]

It is just a Melanistic.. Not an uncommon color form really. In some populations it is seen seasonally in others year round. This colour morph usually is not present until the fish matures but has been seen in Young of the year in one documented drainage in Virginia.

will this color phase stay with the fish or does it come and go? judging by how variable these fish are with color i would think it could stay or go.

 

[Polypterus]

will this color phase stay with the fish or does it come and go? judging by how variable these fish are with color i would think it could stay or go.

Answer is actually in my post Jordan...

In some populations it is seen seasonally in others year round. This colour morph usually is not present until the fish matures but has been seen in Young of the year in one documented drainage in Virginia.

Otherwise it depends on the fish, it's physiologic condition ( Maturity level, Sex, Spawning / not spawning) and it's genetics... Just another fun thing about Lepisosteids and Lepisosteus osseus that needs a more clear answer and further investigation.

I have personally only seen one or two fish like this in Captivity that are true melanistic. Most of those labeled "melanistic" are often just Gators that are stressed / not fed well or Florida with a darker pattern than usual (which is really not unusual at all). I have had a few fish of my own seasonally show this...

Edit: I should note some Gators Atracosteus spatula will genetically show a darker coloration while young but this will fad out when they mature. It should however also be noted that in some fish this is a clear sign of being stressed. Know thy Garfish is a rule here.....

 

[demjor19]

Answer is actually in my post Jordan...


Otherwise it depends on the fish, it's physiologic condition ( Maturity level, Sex, Spawning / not spawning) and it's genetics... Just another fun thing about Lepisosteids and Lepisosteus osseus that needs a more clear answer and further investigation.

I have personally only seen one or two fish like this in Captivity that are true melanistic. Most of those labeled "melanistic" are often just Gators that are stressed / not fed well or Florida with a darker pattern than usual (which is really not unusual at all). I have had a few fish of my own seasonally show this...

Edit: I should note some Gators Atracosteus spatula will genetically show a darker coloration while young but this will fad out when they mature. It should however also be noted that in some fish this is a clear sign of being stressed. Know thy Garfish is a rule here.....

ok. thanks for the clarification...i must have misinterpreted what you previously posted. i know our larger florida/spotted was very dark (nearly black) when we first aquired it. i think it may have been stress related. within a few months he lightened up and has been that way ever since.