Mutated Two-headed Trout

I didn’t really know where to put this, as it’s not really a “pet” fish. My school is doing a program where you hatch trout eggs and then eventually release the juvenile trout into the river in an approved spot. About 300 of them initially hatched, and a good amount are still alive. The main thing that I wanted to share was one of the fish is mutated and has two heads with working gills and mouths and everything!

Our best guess is that it was supposed to be two identical twins from the same egg, but it never split. Considering the fish is now two weeks old and is still alive (eating off yolk sac) contributes to our idea that is has fully functioning organs. I’ll attach a picture below where it shows that it ends with a nub butt and can wiggle itself around.

I know that the ethical thing would be to humanely euthanize it, and we most likely will in the future. We would never release it into the wild. But currently, it (they?) is still alive and does not seem to be stressed or harmed by its mutation.

I thought that the community would appreciate the wonders of Mother Earth, and even though the poor guy probably won’t survive much longer, he is an amazing example of genetics and also indirectly why culling is important.




Edit: I also have a video, does anyone know how to attach one onto a post?

 

Very cool! Best way is to post a video in YouTube and then put a link in your Fishlore post.

 

Wow! That’s very interesting Thank you for sharing!

 

I wouldnt euthanise him I would try to raise him.

 

Why do you think, just because it is different, it should die?

 

I would also try to raise him of course if he is bad off than you have to do what is best but give the little guy a chance.

 

Wow that is crazy but does he have to be euthanized if he is healthy and doing well ? I would love to see a video of him

 

Why do you think, just because it is different, it should die?

According to many people, yeah :/

 

Don’t worry guys! We were only going to euthanize him if he was suffering in any way. As of now, he’s perfectly capable of everyday functions as far as we can tell. Since he has a mouth and gills we’re figuring that if we target feed him and keep him away from the rest he’ll raise up just fine. I’d never euthanize a healthy fish!