Re: hybrid african; very unusual...
Hi - I wish you good luck with the hybrids.
The whole subject of hybrids has always been a controversial one for cichlid keepers - especially rift lake fans. The traditional consensus seems to be that there's nothing wrong with keeping these fish: but, as a rule it's considered bad form to sell or distribute them. The underlying thought is that we should keep wild gene pools intact. ACA, for example, has traditionally banned hybrids from their annual show and auctions.
My own feeling is that this prohibition is a little behind the science... it is increasingly clear that our notion of "species" is out of touch with the incredibly complicated speciation processes and gene flow dynamics in wild cichlid populations. In other words, it is clear that "keeping the gene pool intact" is something which doesn't necessarily occur in the wild. There is also a growing realization that some of our most desirable cichlids (my best example would be the OB peacock) are hybrids, and there seems to be little point in trying to regulate "species" in captivity when the identity of any particular "species" in the wild is open to substantial question.
Of course (in my opinion) there are also monstrosities among cichlid hybrids (e.g. blood parrots and most flowerhorns) - but even some of these are hugely popular.
The question is being actively reviewed at the ACA. Chuck D. has been active in this discussion. To some extent, the traditional view reflects the scientifically-minded members of the Association, and the still-unsettled knowledge base about rift lake cichlids. On the other hand, though, there doesn't seem to be any good reason why hybrid cichlids cannot be shown in ACA shows or studied, discussed, etc.
As a practical matter, it's not likely that a cichlid hybrid produced in the aquarium hobby will ever be released into the wild (at least rift lake cichlids), so there is no actual danger that hobbyist-generated hybrids will ever injure a natural population. Interestingly, if you look, you will find that there's some discussion and interest in the "species" designation for local south Florida oscars - the thought being that the fish dumped in our local waters represent various species of oscar prevalent in the aquarium hobby over the last several decades, with the result that some of the wild fish now may be hybrids of several oscar varieties in their natural habitat.
My own practice is to allow hybrids to be born and to grow; for my own interest, I note their behaviors and colors, etc. relative to the parents -- and expecially the colors and behaviors of the F2 generations -- as another enjoyable aspect of cichlid-keeping. However, I won't distribute hybrids.
|
