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I was talking about the one in the picture ..and you can bring out the colors wiht a select diet not just any good diet..it is specific JP.
Carotenoid pigments are red and orange.
Xanthophylls are yellow.
Melanin pigments are black and brown.
Phycocyanin is the blue pigment derived from blue-green algae.
Cells containing yellow pigments overlying those containing blue pigments can produce green hues.
Fish are capable of producing some pigments, but others must be supplied in the diet.
Black and brown pigments are produced in cells called melanocytes.
Fish are incapable of producing carotenoid and xanthophyll pigments.
Therefore, these must be supplied in the diet. The colors of the one in the picture can be made better ...
References
Moe, M.A. 1982. The marine aquarium handbook –beginner to breeder. Green Turtle Publications, Plantation, FL.
Moyle, P.B., and J.J. Cech. 1988. Fishes an introduction to ichthyology. 2nd Edition. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Fujii, R. 1969. Chromatophores and pigments. pp. 301-353 in W.S. Hoar and D.J. Randall (eds.). Fish Physiology. Volume III. Reproduction andGrowth. Bioluminescence, Pigments, and Poisons. Academic Press,New York, NY.
Konings, A.(ed.). 1993. Enjoying Cichlids. Cichlid Press.
Teichert-Coddington, D., B. Manning, and J. Eya. 2000. Concentration of 17alpha-Methyltestosterone in hormone treated feed: Effects of analytical technique, fabrication, and storage temperature. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 31: 42-50.
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The one in the picture (KAABBB posted) doesn't look like it has bad genes or comes from parents that has bad genes so stop speaking in general.
Not all genes are expressed in the offspring even if it comes from beautiful parents and no one can tell if those that come from bad ugly parents have genes in their lineage that can later be expressed in the future. That my friend is biochemistry and genes and a complexity that goes beyond just having your parents carry the gene for a specific phenotype/appearance.
Everything is multi-facet and no one is dumb for saying that there are multiple factors that cause a fish to look the way it does.
It is said in your rules for noobs thread why not use a black gravel or wall background environmental factors while certain factors might have a bigger influence on the appearance its not absolute. (You are not an ass but you insist a inferior status given to those that are new to the hobby hmmm.. good one JP very smooth.)
I NEVER SAID THAT A LOW GRADE CAN BECOME A MASTER PIECE DONT PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH PLEASE.
WHAT I DO SAY IS THE ONE IN THE PICTURE CAN BE TURNED INTO A 1-2K FISH AND BE SOLD IN NYC TO BUSINESS CHINA MEN FOR THE SOLE REASON THAT ITS SUPPOSE TO BRING GOOD LUCK. (JUST LIKE THE RED AROWANA CRAZE)
I TERMED THIS " Demand"
Just to understand this correctly.. they will all agree its a masterpiece hmmm since its all in the genes, and everyone gives a good balanced diet...no credit should be given to the owner which would make the term masterpiece an Oxy-moron.
while this is webster-dictionary.com definition of masterpiece-
1.a person's greatest piece of work, as in an art. 2.anything done with masterly skill: a masterpiece of improvisation. 3.a consummate example of skill or excellence of any kind: The chef's cake was a masterpiece. 4.a piece made by a person aspiring to the rank of master in a guild or other craft organization as a proof of competence.
Your fish have NO hope of being a decent one for the FH hobbyists eyes. But then, like you said beauty is in the eyes of a beholder. Keep loving it lol!