Pigment mutations common?

[VRWC]

So I have a friend with an LFS and have been growing out various fish in my 265 for him (and for me as well). It gives me the option to keep the ones I like. Anyways, I had a batch of about 25-30 trimac fry I got at an inch and grew them out to about 2.5-3 inches. As I figured, some got big fast, some were about average and a few didnt seem to grow at all. One of them that didnt grow at all was this one with a pigment mutation. Ive since brought all but the 2 trimacs that didnt seem to grow back to my friends store. I decided to keep them to see if they would grow or be runt trimacs. Well, theyve already grown about 1/2 an inch in 2 weeks that theyve been away from their brothers and sisters. I thought the other one had a pigment mutation as well, but it didnt.

So Im going to grow this little guy out and see what he looks like. His parents are beautiful so he should be good looking. The fry are from a Don Conkel pond raised pair my friend has.

Are mutations like this a common thing?

sorry for the crappy pics. I had just done a water change (so it was stressed) and they were taken with my phone.

 

[Citrinellus]

They're not too common from what I've seen. I've only seen a three in real life and about a dozen pictures. None the less a great pick up. I'm eager to see how he turns out.

 

[BoCoMo]

I can't wait to see how it turns out either. Good lookng fish - please keep updating!

 

[VRWC]

They're not too common from what I've seen. I've only seen a three in real life and about a dozen pictures. None the less a great pick up. I'm eager to see how he turns out.

Ok, thanks for the reply.

I can't wait to see how it turns out either. Good lookng fish - please keep updating!

Me either. Ill be updating pics regularly. I have about 20 different species of growouts in my 265 so Im snapping pics about every weekend.

 

[VRWC]

anyone else have fish like this, with pigment abnormalities?

 

[Modest_Man]

I've seen several photos of it over the years, as far as genetic issues go it's pretty common. It's not just in cichlids either.

 

[lach]

it possible that this mutation goes with some other defects that could explain why its not growing, or why they might not usually survive therefore less in the hobby.

 

[VRWC]

I've seen several photos of it over the years, as far as genetic issues go it's pretty common. It's not just in cichlids either.

Ok, cool. thanks.

it possible that this mutation goes with some other defects that could explain why its not growing, or why they might not usually survive therefore less in the hobby.

Yea, I figure he would have probably not have made it in the wild because he stayed so small..but as soon as I took out all the other trimacs but him and one other, hes jumped in size in 2 weeks...put on about 1/2 an inch if not more.