why are dalmatians so hard to find?

if this is the wrong place, sorry. >.> it's 3 am. xD

so, years ago, i got my first betta. a light orange dalmatian VT with blood-red spots. i did not know he was a dalmatian at the time, and i'd never seen one like him. got him, because he wasn't the normal red, blue, green, or mixture that was available at the time. his color was interesting, and i'd describe it as a "white-gold" color. his name was Zach, and he lived horribly. lived most of his life in a half-gallon bowl with few water changes. then, he lived in a one-gallon for a few years. finally, he was in a 10 gallon by himself, where he lived the last of his 3/4 years. i've never been able to find another like Zach at my lps, and only see dalmatians online, and never orange dalmatian VTs. i once saw an orange dalmatian HM, who looked almost identical to my Zachy, but he was over $30. >.>; HMPKs are another fin type i see orange dals in. only other orange dal VT i've seen, was at the same LPS about a week ago. but, i was broke. D: i wanted him SO BAD!

but, at any rate, getting off topic here!

why are dalmatians impossible to find at pet stores, and even with breeders? D: i see few, if any, dalmatians on Aquabid, and it bugs me a bit. i'm looking for my new Zach, and whenever i DO see dals, they're usually white and black or blue, not orange with red spots. D:

Thats very strange you asking this question as yesterday i went to my lfs AND they had a dalmation VT he had a pale orange peachy body with cellophane finnage with the blood red spots, i wanted him really bad but my other half said i shouldnt as all the fish iv bought from that shop have died in a week or 2.

you should still have got him, I love dalmations. i have one and am hoping the pink one is as well, but he is badly nibbled so hard to tell....xx

The person who tutored me used to breed dalmation HM's theyre stunning, i see VT dals frequently down my end but im spoilt when it comes to betta choices :/

Pixietina wrote:The person who tutored me used to breed dalmation HM's theyre stunning, i see VT dals frequently down my end but im spoilt when it comes to betta choices :/

where do you live?

stoke on trent

liz2 wrote:you should still have got him, I love dalmations. i have one and am hoping the pink one is as well, but he is badly nibbled so hard to tell....xx

I know i should have but im trying not to think about him!

It's because the genetic variation only appeared in the mid-2000s, so basically it's the newest colour, there are fewer fish to be bred from so it's going to take a while for the genotype to proliferate.

They are very lovely though, I suspect we also might not see many of them because they're snapped up quickly if by chance they do appear in the shops.

Oh BTW I'm pretty sure only orange with red spots is officially called Dalmatian, the blue/green etc. are just multicolour marbles.

yup as above

i've seen a white fella with black spots called dalmatian.

i NEVER see them. that little fella i saw a few weeks ago is the first i've seen since around 06. i adore them, but never see them. :< i know victoria from Bettysplendens had a orange strain of HMs going, but she's in Europe and not breeding. :< i might have to tell the fish guy at the pet store to either request some, or hold me one male the next time one comes in. x-x