THE ANGELFISH LOCUS

Phenotype Release 1.0

Variation in Pearl scale Phenotype – Diamond & Matte Pearlscale

S.A.S has a simple focus – to facilitate new levels of collaboration, thinking and acting within the world of Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Angelfish

Our desire is to empower keepers and breeders through knowledge to see and do what is possible and not to confine them in their Angelfish breeding and keeping activities.

Our promise is to include every enthusiast and everybody who is enthusiastic and not exclude anyone– There will be a place for everyone who thinks forward.

 

New Variation to PearlScale Description

 

The Society for Angelfish Standards (S.A.S) is facilitating discussion to review the definition of the Pearl Scale phenotype (not its genotype at this stage) to match the variation that we are seeing in our tanks.

It will also align our thinking and with terms being used by breeders in some parts of Europe and Asia where diamond is commonly used to describe the look.

 

 

Pearl scale as we know it, can be seen as scales that are folded, crinkled or convoluted. Sometimes fish with these scales types express iridescence or not.

 

The question is - How to differentiate between fish that do or do not display iridescence in convoluted scales - see the picture of a Gold Marble Blushing.

 

We now know there are two effects, the bumpy convex scale and the reflective characteristics. More and more fish are expressing the bumpy scales but without the iridescence.

What underlying genetics cause this variation is not fully know as yet.

 

Dr. Norton referred in her research on pearlies or pearlscale— to fish with rows of wavey convex scales, creating a bumpy surface that when front lighted has many tiny surfaces that reflect light resulting in a sparkle.

 

 

Gold Marble Blushing Diamond Pearlscale—   Angel Kisses Hatchery, Ohio

Copy Right The World Angelfish Forum

Pictures and articles are the property of the members of TWAF and should not be used unless permission is expressly given!

Reference— http://theangelfishsociety.org/articles/norton/dr.norton(15).htm.

 

S.A.S. is not proposing to change Dr. Norton’s terminology, but to add the terms Diamond and Matte. 

A fish with bumpy convex scales but with no iridescence will be recorded as a Matte Pearlscale, but one that has combined iridescence with bumpy scales will be recorded as a Diamond Pearlscale.

 

If I were to advertise the fish in the photo for sale above, I would describe it as incomplete Diamond Pearlscale Gold Marble Blushing or (Koi) along with it’s pedigree.

 

Changes will take effect in S.A.S.’s registry  and data base of phenotype by May 31, 2009.