Is This A Natrual Color Morph?

[Midwater]

don't they hormone breed them over there? same as every other monster fish they make color mutations of?

No, they are not bred. Every dat is wild caught ... until they all go extinct.

After watching the entire video, I have to say… the “magic” here is the combination of selective breeding, the perfect breeding environment, and the super-good lighting of the display tank. In other words: Not magic, but top-notch techniques and years of breeding experience.

That red dat fish has extremely bright colors — most likely the result of genetic selection over many generations, possibly an improved leucistic or xanthanthic strain. In addition, the LED lighting in the tank — especially the purple/blue light — can highlight the red pigment in a very “unrealistic” way.

Bollocks.

 

[wednesday13]

After watching the entire video, I have to say… the “magic” here is the combination of selective breeding, the perfect breeding environment, and the super-good lighting of the display tank. In other words: Not magic, but top-notch techniques and years of breeding experience.

That red dat fish has extremely bright colors — most likely the result of genetic selection over many generations, possibly an improved leucistic or xanthanthic strain. In addition, the LED lighting in the tank — especially the purple/blue light — can highlight the red pigment in a very “unrealistic” way.

Its pretty well known that Dats are injected with chemicals to make them throw different color pigments. Some are also subject to intense UV flash treatments for the same purpose. Most revert back to normal pigment eventually. Ever heard of a “phantom” redtail cat or “marbled” alligator gar. Same thing with UV flashing. There not real morphs. Theres an erray of species they do this too. Some even have 1 red eye and one regular eye. Thats not possible even by the most selective or man made breeding practices. Most of the time the fish fish is sold as a morph… a high price is collected… and the fish reverts back to normal days or months later. Its a money grabbing scheme exploiting people who enjoy real albino and color morph fish. Rod and Kevin have even mentioned these dats are injected in other videos and most dont take the “treatment” permanently.

 

[lingi]

I think it's a natural colour morph. I don't have a picture but just a few days ago I saw a similar datnoid for sale, although more on the orange side than this one which looks more red to me, but also single colour. It was around 10cm and they wanted USD 9k for it!

 

[Conchonius]

That's a bot, folks. Nobody uses the long-dash on forums. It hasn't watched the video, I don't think, it just gathered context from other people's posts.

In any case, I'm surprised to hear that no datnoid has been bred. Are the cheap ITs that I see for $20 still wild-caught? Are there any serious breeding efforts, at least? I'd imagine that the first to breed STs would become a very rich man indeed.

Speaking of which, is it true that STs are well and truly extinct in the wild? Once the individuals in captivity are all dead, the species is most likely gone for good? Feels like a real shame.