Thought I saw it all

[Hendre]

Short body nothing more than a deformity in my eyes. Why they are seen to be prized fish I will never understand

+1

Rarity maybe?

 

[Lugal]

Fish keepers here, or at least in aquarium market, they valued deformity as being "rarer" or even "unique" type of certain species. The shorter, the better. They even count how many spinal column it losses. However, these fishes ALWAYS fetched 2X or higher price than usual so fish keepers are always looking to own one.
Prime example is Tinfoil Barb. If it is normal then it's almost worthless or being used as a water-tester despite how big it is. But if it's deformed? 10X the price. Even been using as glorified golden Asian Arowana tankmate!

 

[krichardson]

Fish keepers here, or at least in aquarium market, they value deformity as being "rarer" or even "unique" type of certain species. The shorter, the better.

Thankfully,not all fishkeepers feel this way.

 

[I31]

Came across this on Google images short body armatus

View attachment 1242684

I had one but didn't survive. Only reason I wanted it was it would probably fit in a 220 better than average size one

 

[reefman]

Short body nothing more than a deformity in my eyes. Why they are seen to be prized fish I will never understand

I totally agree.

 

[reefman]

Thankfully,not all fishkeepers feel this way.

I really don't see the hype with shortbody. Most breeders who raise prize fish cull the deformed not raise them