05-15-2011, 04:28 PM
[cool][#0000ff]The speckled pattern on younger cats is probably a protective coloration...like spots on a fawn. Most cats lose the spots as they pass the cookie size range.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of the pics below shows a female and a male side by side. The females are generally more golden in color and have a head that is about the same width as their bodies...when healthy. Males typically have wider heads in proportion to their body width. They also are naturally darker in coloration and can become very dark when spawning.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Even the females darken up somewhat right during the spawn. But are seldom anywhere near as dark as the males.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I usually do not keep the males because the ratio of good flesh to length of the fish is generally less than that of a healthy mama cat. And the flesh is often much paler and not as attractive.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Spawning in this cold weather spring will probably not happen until early June...or later. It can extend clear into July with individual fish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the pics below shows a female and a male side by side. The females are generally more golden in color and have a head that is about the same width as their bodies...when healthy. Males typically have wider heads in proportion to their body width. They also are naturally darker in coloration and can become very dark when spawning.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Even the females darken up somewhat right during the spawn. But are seldom anywhere near as dark as the males.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I usually do not keep the males because the ratio of good flesh to length of the fish is generally less than that of a healthy mama cat. And the flesh is often much paler and not as attractive.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Spawning in this cold weather spring will probably not happen until early June...or later. It can extend clear into July with individual fish.[/#0000ff]
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