If you’ve ever caught a red drum, you’ve probably noticed that some have a lot of spots. The fish’s spots are a result of recessive pigmentation genes from both parents.
The genetic mutation makes the fish have hundreds or even thousands of spots. A redfish with 500 or more spots is considered a variant or mutant.
According to fish geneticist Kyle Piller at Southeastern University in Hammond, Texas, these heavily spotted reds are very rare. He explained that the spots on the leopard redfish are likely caused by recessive genes from both parents.
In fact, the number of spots on the leopard redfish is almost double the number of spots on an average redfish. When asked if the spots on the fish are genetic, Piller said, “Yes.”
The spots on the leopard redfish are likely a result of recessive pigmentation gene from both parents. However, the number of spots is also naturally variable.
For example, a 28-inch redfish with 300 spots on each side was caught. At first, an angler thought the redfish was a large spotted seatrout. But, he later learned that the redfish had hundreds of spots.
The big bull redfish in the Indian River Lagoon is very unique. It’s one of the largest redfish ever recorded in the state of Florida.
There are a handful of redfish with hundreds or even thousands of spots. Most red drum have just one spot on their tails.
In addition to the rare redfish with thousands of spots, an angler in Louisiana recently caught a leopard redfish. This fish has more than six hundred spots, more than any other redfish.
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