so, what kind of a trait is the "short body" mutation

[Magnum Man]

, and is it similar to the balloon body mollies and platy's??? I've seen quite a few short body's offered lately, ( not that I would buy them ) but they appear to be mostly on larger fish, kind of like man bred a bigger fish, to better fit in an aquarium??? the balloon bodies almost look like they have fish TB to me...
curious as to the lifespan of a lot of these highly altered fish...

a short body pacu... has a similar appearance / deformity as the parrots...

 

[GaryE]

In a lot of cases, it's scoliosis - a deformity of the spine. I have a very minor case in my lower spine, and at times it hurts like crazy. Since fish have advanced nervous systems, I'd expect it to be nasty for them.

I don't know for sure, however, this is scoliosis. I'm not a vet. It appears a similar deformity to me. I know that in the early days when the intentional production of deformities like that hit the market, the death rate from intestinal blockages was very high. That seems to have lessened, I guess by attrition.

The sale of those fish should be banned, and breeding them is an act of cruelty.

 

[jaylach]

The sale of those fish should be banned, and breeding them is an act of cruelty.

I don't have answers to the actual questions but TOTALLY agree with the above quote.

 

[GaryE]

I think I have an answer to the original question. Technically, it's a "deleterious trait" - a trait causing harm or damage.

It's also a commercially successful trait, because if you're a new aquarist and you see these fish without looking deeper, some of them qualify as "cute". Plus, they allow species that wouldn't normally be able to stay in small tanks, because of size or activity levels to be kept in small containers, because the handicap intentionally bred into them limits both size and activity levels.

I have bred and raised many thousands of fish over 35 years. I have had 2 or 3 balloon spines appear, and they lived out their short lives without being bred.

I could have been a billionaire, I tell ya.

 

[emeraldking]

It's a shame that there are a serious number of commercial breeders who love the crazy bodyshape without paying attention to the damage inside the body. And I do know that it has become popular. Especially in Asia. But it seems that they try to craete these shapes in any type of fish.
In our country short body bred fish are prohibited. It doesn't contribute to the wellbeing of any fish.

 

[Back in the fold]

Oh good grief , that poor fish .