Ok, was thinkin.......and this might sound a little hinky, but cichlid fry take cues from their mother. When it's safe to forage, when to take cover, when to clump up. I know scientists use fake fish to ellicit responses from their test subjects all the time, and everyone's heard of the Dr. Harlow's work with monkeys. Maybe a ........fake mom? Made out of non-toxic clay or silly putty. just the shape of an adult ram might draw the fish down and get them to act more natural. I don't know. You could be right on the genetic abnormality thing too.
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