Initial Reports of a Light-Colored form of Chub, Leuciscus Cephalus (L.)

During experimental rearing of larval chub, Leuciscus cephalus (L.), individuals were noted with substantially lighter coloring than that which is generally observed. These fish were segregated in order to compare their growth and survival rates to those of the group of larvae with "wild" coloring. Light-colored larvae had slower growth rates in comparison to the individuals with dark coloring. Image analysis indicated light-colored individuals had a threefold lower occurrence of melanophore cells with a smaller diameter than did fish with normal coloring.