Black Moore gf question ???

[suu]

Does anyone know how to tell if a Black Moore will hold its colour and not end up with an copper stomach. Some show signs while still at the store.  The new super pet has some nice medium ones in that are not for sale yet, but they are pricey and I don't want to pay that kind of money and end up with it changing colour.  

[Mettle]

From my understanding it has to do with genetics and what line the fish comes from. I was asking this question on various forums as someone had asked me about it before and I was curious... The only way to be 99% certain is to obtain them from a private breeder - and then the price just sky rockets. This way you know the heritage of the fish... Otherwise it's a gamble... I've even seen pics of a 'black' moore that turned almost completely white. Not gold, not copper, but white. It was quite amazing, however, probably not what most owners would want.

The problem with black moores is that they cannot be mated with one another. They have to be crossed with other fish and that's where the gold comes into play.

[suu]

Ok, that would explain why some are a lot less expensive than others.  It would probably be best then to buy the largest blackish fish you could afford to gamble on and hope for the best if you don't know of a breeder.  Thanks for the help.

[gvv]

Sorry, but even breeder will not guarantee that you will receive perfectly black adult fish. He may expect ... You are getting more than 1000 fry, after that every month you will have to kill/get rid of deformed, that you can distinguish. You are endin in the best case with 10% of quality (but not perfect!) fish. everything else is luck. I deal with orandas and I should say that before people were going to buy anything they asked for the parents, which I had to present every time. But people ususally were buying dozens of 6-8 month fish and than just leave the best ones for themselves.

Regards (and good luck!)