What would you do? Fry --> deformed fish ...

[Ron]

Curious to get the public opinion on this topic....


Say you've purchased some fry, grown them out, and the majority are deformed. What would you do?


Long story short, I'd bought a variety of angelfish from a variety of sources. I bought them through auction, not the direct breeder necessarily, though I'd suspect so. One group in particular has a messed up body shape. The anal fin is offset from the dorsal. They looked ridiculous. I grew them out, they never looked any better, and in the end I choose to cull them. Would you notify the seller?

Personally, I'd want to know if I were the breeder. I strive to produce quality fish and feel pretty good that I haven't passed on fish with inbred genetics. At the same time, I'm on the fence about telling the source. People these days don't take criticism well, so maybe it's best to just not say anything and personally avoid that source for future purchases. 

[four_by_ken]

I would say something for sure, privately.

[Regalblue]

Two words....Crenicichla lenticulata

I'd most likely tell the breeder. But,  I'd be cordial about it.

[African cichlid Keeper]

I would say something for sure, privately.

I do the same thing.  ^

[Stan M.]

X3

[jcunningham0295]

I would let me breeder know about it.  I would want to know that about my stock.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

I would let the breeder now, in a professional manner. If they can't take criticism that's their deal at least you know you did your part and tried to help them out. Its sucks to hear you've been selling things substandard just keep that in mind when informing them and be gentle. It'll probably have a much higher probability of being well received if your not a butt head about it (not saying that's what you'll do, just a general statement.)

[JohnS]

I've bought angels at the last couple auctions and am trying to breed fish for the first time.  It might be helpful to newer folks like myself if you posted pictures of what is wrong.  It doesn't sound like the original breeder is that knowledgeable and may benefit from the pictures and explanation also.

Thanks.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

This is a very sensitive subject and I have seen it handled many different ways from the public announcement via the forums (which never ends positively) to the one on one subtle conversation (which depending on the temperment of the person your are dealing with - type A or other which should lead to a more professional reply).

Me, I would handle it privately.  That way if the conversation turns negative you can just walk away and know that will be the last time I deal with that A-hole.

Most of the breeders I have delt with seem to be very reasonable and would actually welcome such feedback.

Good Luck - I hope it doesn't turn out to be a negative.

[fishman]

Whenever I go to a store I always make a point to to look at the angelfish that are being offered for sale.  I rarely ever see a tank full of angelfish that do not have any issues.  The problem with a lot of these fish, is the fact that most "fancy angelfish have weak regressive genes.  Some of the "big" breeders do cross with wild stock, most don't.  The newest thing is the red angelfish from the cech. republic, it will be interesting to see how they hold up.  We do have rules to prevent deformed fish into the auction.  I suppose we could look at these fish closer, before we let them into the auction. This would make more work and time before the auction.  It is always buyer beware.

This is a very sensitive subject and I have seen it handled many different ways from the public announcement via the forums (which never ends positively) to the one on one subtle conversation (which depending on the temperment of the person your are dealing with - type A or other which should lead to a more professional reply).

Me, I would handle it privately.  That way if the conversation turns negative you can just walk away and know that will be the last time I deal with that A-hole.

Most of the breeders I have delt with seem to be very reasonable and would actually welcome such feedback.

Good Luck - I hope it doesn't turn out to be a negative.

[mandalawi]

I as many others here have suggested would handle it privately and of course professionally or cordially. I don't see any harm. It's up to them how they take it.

[Marty]

It's pretty common with angel fish breeders that are serious and conscientious to cull a percentage of their fry if defects are observed.  Unfortunately, not everyone has the same ethics.

I had a pair of breeding pair of Parachromis managuense where the mother had a short body.  The first time I spawned them, I grew the fry out to determine if that defect was being passed down from the parents.

I would definitely say something to the breeder about the deformed fry (politely).  If they continue to sell them, I wouldn't be shy about pointing out the quality issue to others.

[Ron]

Thanks for the feedback.

I know that angels are typically more problematic for the reasons already mentioned. If it were a small percentage of them that were awkward I wouldn't say anything, but the entire group has the same problem. 

I've bought angels at the last couple auctions and am trying to breed fish for the first time.  It might be helpful to newer folks like myself if you posted pictures of what is wrong.  It doesn't sound like the original breeder is that knowledgeable and may benefit from the pictures and explanation also.

Thanks.

I'll try to get something up this weekend.

[Joefish]

Two words....Crenicichla lenticulata

?

[Super Turtleman]

Two words....Crenicichla lenticulata

?

I think he meant feeders.