THE ANGELFISH LOCUS

Copy Right The World Angelfish Forum

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We like to devote this page to the genetics that you see in your tanks, whether they are understood or not. The Key is in observing the unusual, the different or unexplained and try to put reason to it.

We started off Edition 1 in April with Carol’s Conundrum where her blushing Angelfish should not have shown Zebra expression, but it did. The jury is still out on what was happening there. Even more interest is being created in this problem with the Blushing Zebras Ken has found in the Philippines.

 

This edition we have Haiven’s (Nancy) Mystery Fish where its genetic make up was not totally obvious from its looks. It is a totally stunning looking fish and we were awaiting further info from Haiven on what offspring he produced. Here is some of what Nancy wrote:

My first impression of the Gold Guy was that he was very drab. He was almost colorless in the dark water and I wondered why they (previous owners) chose to buy him when there were much prettier Angelfish to be found in the local fish stores. Throughout the quarantine period he stayed nondescript.

When I put him in my unmated adult tank, he underwent an amazing transformation. Within sixty seconds he was beautiful – dark burnished metallic gold with black fins and a black line through his eyes. This was the gold of kings with no hint of yellow or orange which often pass for gold on Angelfish! It was at this point he got his name - Gold Guy.

Gold Guy immediately assumed dominant male status. He paired up with a Gold Pearl Scale Veil Female and the next day they were cleaning leaves so I moved them into a 20g. Even though he had been solitary for 3 years, he and the female knew what to do.

Gold Guy is currently paired up with a Koi female and lay eggs approx every 14 days.

 

It’s a great story about a great fish, Nancy continued to comment on the wonderful protective parent raiser he has become, (a behavioral trait worth breeding into fish).

The thread can be found on the forum at http://www.angelfishkisses.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2770

 

The question still remains, what is he?  Pterophyllum posted:

“I would certainly agree with those who've called it a ghost, (that is to say heterozygous for the stripeless gene), what I find interesting is the copper/gold coloration, and the extent to which it is spread over the whole body.”

 

And Stacy posted:

“Me thinks it's a silver ghost in breeding dress”

 

How does that explain the Gold of Kings color, which is more indicative of chocolate genes? Again Stacy replied with a photo of one of her Silver Ghosts.

 

Mugwamp  (Jon) also posted this on the Kings Gold color  and color change in his fish:

“I have to go with the Silver ghost....I have two pairs that have a gold sheen when calm and the 'wham' get the dark outlines and appearance ...it's the breeding/agitated mode...the male will really express when defending the brood...my pairs both have a hidden gold and pearl scale gene..they pop out quite the variety...and some of the most beautiful sunsets that I've seen around.”

 

Have a look at the pictures of Gold Guy’s babies that Nancy sent, do they tell us any more about the genetics of Gold Guy.  The main difference between Stacy’s fish and Haiven’s is the extent of coverage of the King’s Gold coloration.

If you have any thoughts on Gold Guy’s genetics, go to the forum link above and bump the thread, it would be great to hear your thoughts.