If only a few fish are that way I doubt it is genetics as that would exhibit differently IMO.
Eric,
I respectfully disagree.
While it could have been from electrofishing it being only a few fish does not mean one can rule out genetics. I would actually think it would be more if it was electrofishing and the electric level was set too intense.
Here are some pics of fish from my ponds that exhibit the same thing or something similar. Some electrofishing was done here years ago but not while the following fish were in the ponds. I see this on a handful of the perch I produce each year and my original supplier does too.
One fish in this cooler exhibits scoliosis a lateral bend in the spinal column.
Here's another one that exhibits lardosis a vertical bend in the spinal column.
I have several pics somewhere of YOY perch that have these issues. I get a handful every year and discard them.
A genetic abnormality I observed in some of my feed trained largemouth bass probably due to inbreeding:
The bottom jaw comes to a triangular point.
Many suppliers keep breeding the same stock over and over again without bringing in new stock. Many don't use the minimum number of broodstock either.
Up here in the Great Lakes they're afraid of bringing in new fish especially from the wild due to VHS concerns. Even though wild fish up here have apparently developed an immunity they can still test positive for VHS. Bringing in those fish for broodstock, could cause some health issues in the farm fish that have not been exposed. Worst of all a fish farm does not want to test positive for VHS. It would be the first fish farm that does so and an absolute nightmare for the business.
