Differences Between ... ?

[Hehoo]

OK, how do I know if my albinos are c. aeneus, c. paleatus, or whichever? Also, what is the difference, if there is one, between black corys and melanistic ones?

 

[jollysue]

Species differences in albinos are spotted by differences in body, head, eggs, behavior etc.

As to the other, Google and you tell us. But I am not exactly clear as to the question. Are you asking the relation between the condition of being black and the presence of melanin, or are you asking the relation of the increse of melanin to the fish called the Blacks? Like I said, Google it and tell us.

 

[Hehoo]

Species differences in albinos are spotted by differences in body, head, eggs, behavior etc.

As to the other, Google and you tell us. But I am not exactly clear as to the question. Are you asking the relation between the condition of being black and the presence of melanin, or are you asking the relation of the increse of melanin to the fish called the Blacks? Like I said, Google it and tell us.

Wow, now I don't even know what I'm asking. Maybe telling you the situation will help. I was walking around the store looking at corys, and saw one that I had never seen before, just completely black, even black eyes, and a white tummy. I'm pretty sure it's blind, as it doesn't really swim away when the net comes for it or anything, and those solid black eyes aren't like the other corys' eyes. Of course, I took it home, named it Penguin. Then I was in another store, a more knowledgeable one, and saw one that looked exactly same, same eyes and all, and the employee told me it was a melanistic cory. Then I came on here, thinking it was some sort of funky-opposite-of-albino cory, and hear about 'black corys'. So I'm wondering if mine is the same, are all black ones just melanistic? Does melanistic just mean black? Are they all blind? Now I have even more questions ... lol ... I guess I'm trying to ID mine ... It looks really cool with my albinos

 

[Hehoo]

Also, how do I figure out which albinos I have? I love my albinos.

 

[jollysue]

Haha Sorry, Hehoo,

I doubt I can shed much more light on melanism than you can by Googling, which I did and saw it was going to be a deep study. But I might be able to help with the ID. Post a pic of your Corys and I will be back in about 6 hours.

Then we can also discuss melanism if you like. But it will take some contributions.

By the way, if your Corys have a white belly, then they are not melanos, I think.

 

[drewry]

hi Hehoo
sounds like there c, schultzei
if they look like this ,but a pic from you will determain what they ere

 

[Cory_Dad]

But Drewry, I thought he said his has white tummies?

 

[Hehoo]

I looked at some pictures of the c. schultzei and you may be right. I so don't understand the digital camera, and my cell phone is ancient, has no camera. Planet Catfish has some good pictures of them, and if you look at the last one in their category, and put the colors from #3 & #8, I think you would get my Penguin. Assuming the ones in the picture have white tummies. Maybe I can get a picture later with someone else's cell. So, assuming that is what I have, is it only the black ones that are blind? Are all the black ones blind? Are they rare?

 

[jollysue]

The schultzei/aeneus blacks have white tummies. I think you can see them on these pics. The tummy is easiest to see on the female.

Melanin is the name for substances that cause black coloration. Lack of melanin is associated with albinoism. "Melaninism is an increased amount of black or nearly black pigmentation" or so says Wikipedia. see here

The schultzei/aeneus blacks have white bellies and some reddish in the fins. They of course have melanin, but I don't know if they would be called melanistic.

All but albinos I think have melanin.

Melano Betta are totally black, and that does not denote their variety/tail type (VT, CT, DT, etc)

As far as I know, they are not blind.

The most common Albinos are C. aeneus and C. paleatus, but there are albino C. sterbai and C. panda. You can search here or the catelog at PlanetCatfish for each species and compare the body and head/nose shape to see which they are. I know the peppers have the same shiny plates on the gills that regular peppers have. I understand that the pandas still have their markings barely visible. Sterbai have that wonderful round nose and tinted pectoral fins. So if you get the pics and compare you may be able to tell.

 

[drewry]

But Drewry, I thought he said his has white tummies?

hi cory_dad

you only really see the white when there swiming up the glass they do look completly black from a side and top veiw

 

[jollysue]

Hey! You guys can't see the white belly on that female in my pics? Just like the typical lady of the "aeneus group" as the belly swells it becomes visible. See we did learn something!

 

[Cory_Dad]

Hey! You guys can't see the white belly on that female in my pics? Just like the typical lady of the "aeneus group" as the belly swells it becomes visible. See we did learn something!

I NEVER look at a lady's belly; I can get slapped doing that.

What I was referring to was Drewry's post. Once I saw your pictures it all became very clear to me. Thank you.

btw, they are gorgeous fish.

Cheers.

 

[jollysue]