What's your take on hybrids/crossbreeds?
- Thread starter radamsk1
- Start date
I just picked up some peacock cichlids, and had no idea they were a "hybrid" breed.
I'm kinda ticked about it...I wish they would have told me that. The girl at the store told me they were Malawi. She could be right cause I don't really know much about cichlids, but I've been looking online all night and the only thing I could find that looks like them are the OB peacocks(man made species)
I'm kinda ticked about it...I wish they would have told me that. The girl at the store told me they were Malawi. She could be right cause I don't really know much about cichlids, but I've been looking online all night and the only thing I could find that looks like them are the OB peacocks(man made species)
hmm.
my thoughts on hybrids are this....
what would happen if one or two were released into the wild? that would destroy an ecosystem.
I think blood parrots are adorable...with their googly eyes....but it's a shame that they aren't a 'true' cichlid.......someone had to mess with nature to make them.
I also agree...it does defeat the purpose of a 'natural' aquarium....because....aren't we all trying to mimic a small slice of nature in our homes?
my thoughts on hybrids are this....
what would happen if one or two were released into the wild? that would destroy an ecosystem.
I think blood parrots are adorable...with their googly eyes....but it's a shame that they aren't a 'true' cichlid.......someone had to mess with nature to make them.
I also agree...it does defeat the purpose of a 'natural' aquarium....because....aren't we all trying to mimic a small slice of nature in our homes?
Um, that's true of a lot of fish that aren't crossbreeds/hybrids. This is why certain fish are illegal in certain areas-so they aren't released into the wild to destroy the ecosystem.
I personally hate blood parrots, but they are seriously deformed hybrids. Some crossbreeds are okay... but they shouldn't replace the original fishes.
I personally hate blood parrots, but they are seriously deformed hybrids. Some crossbreeds are okay... but they shouldn't replace the original fishes.
Not just hybrids will destroy the ecosystem. Infact i bet a lot more hybrids would be better than a true cichlid for the ecosystem because a lot of them are sterile and can't reproduce (Thank God). So it would not be able to reproduce in the wild.
However, steps have been made by breeders to change this unfortunently, they are looking for money and breeding what sells.
Parrots are deformed and are not "cute" IMO. They should be classified as a goldfish.
If you want a REAL parrot cichlid, go for Hoplarchus psittacus.
However, steps have been made by breeders to change this unfortunently, they are looking for money and breeding what sells.
Parrots are deformed and are not "cute" IMO. They should be classified as a goldfish.
If you want a REAL parrot cichlid, go for Hoplarchus psittacus.
I do not mind something like "strains" - specially bred fish for decorative purposes, or cats or hamsters and rabbits for that matter.
My heart aches though when TX cichlid is getting fry with Jack Dempsey by accident because they kept together in LFS. And this fry is sold to unawares like me by fancy name or as one of originals whatever baby looked more like at the time. I feel used and, seriously, most those bastard babies are ugly.
Hybrid in ecosystems are whole other story that i even do not want to get into. And, as was duly noticed, they might be less viable than native species or "pure-bred" imported invasive species such as tilapia or snakehead.
My heart aches though when TX cichlid is getting fry with Jack Dempsey by accident because they kept together in LFS. And this fry is sold to unawares like me by fancy name or as one of originals whatever baby looked more like at the time. I feel used and, seriously, most those bastard babies are ugly.
Hybrid in ecosystems are whole other story that i even do not want to get into. And, as was duly noticed, they might be less viable than native species or "pure-bred" imported invasive species such as tilapia or snakehead.
I voted that I don't mind them because I honestly don't. I personaly don't own one (that I know of), but thats not saying that I won't in the future. I don't have nearly the experience that some of you all have but here's my two cents (and please correct me if I'm wrong):
So they're hybrids, cross-breeds, whatever! Its not their fault that "mom & dad" found an attraction to each other! Yes, maybe breeders shouldn't purposly be "promoting" it but either way its gonna happen. That's evolution! They deserve a chance to be happy just like all the other fishies. If you want a "natural" aquarium then do your homework. If you're worried about hybrids being released into the wild & messing up the ecosystem, what about the "normal" ones? Many of the fish that we put in our tanks do not belong in our "local ecosystem." Nature ALWAYS finds a way. Be it by some IDIOT that doesn't want his fish any more & flushes them or releases them into the wild, or by some other way.
There's always gonna be an "outsider" in "society." Let them have a chance at happiness. Have we banned interracial couples in our society? No! I personally have seen some very beautiful children as a result and have no problem with it at all. Now, of course, not everyone feels the same way. Some people are dog people, some cat, some both. I personally love 'em ALL!!! *GOLDFISH*
So they're hybrids, cross-breeds, whatever! Its not their fault that "mom & dad" found an attraction to each other! Yes, maybe breeders shouldn't purposly be "promoting" it but either way its gonna happen. That's evolution! They deserve a chance to be happy just like all the other fishies. If you want a "natural" aquarium then do your homework. If you're worried about hybrids being released into the wild & messing up the ecosystem, what about the "normal" ones? Many of the fish that we put in our tanks do not belong in our "local ecosystem." Nature ALWAYS finds a way. Be it by some IDIOT that doesn't want his fish any more & flushes them or releases them into the wild, or by some other way.
There's always gonna be an "outsider" in "society." Let them have a chance at happiness. Have we banned interracial couples in our society? No! I personally have seen some very beautiful children as a result and have no problem with it at all. Now, of course, not everyone feels the same way. Some people are dog people, some cat, some both. I personally love 'em ALL!!! *GOLDFISH*
Dear JimMelAddie
I do not want to correct you emotionally b/c you certainly entitled to your feelings about hybrids and even to compare fish hybrids with human interracial marriges
I can correct your comparisons biologically: all humans belong to one species Homo sapiens but TX cichlid and Jack Dempsey cichlids are diff species that unfort can interbreed. The fry is certainly entitled to be happy but many people do not like to be fooled and buy them unfrtunate for them.
I do not want to correct you emotionally b/c you certainly entitled to your feelings about hybrids and even to compare fish hybrids with human interracial marriges
I can correct your comparisons biologically: all humans belong to one species Homo sapiens but TX cichlid and Jack Dempsey cichlids are diff species that unfort can interbreed. The fry is certainly entitled to be happy but many people do not like to be fooled and buy them unfrtunate for them.
Please don't worry about my emotions. I'm a big boy! I see what ur saying. I just feel that nature should & will take its course. If a TX & Jack Dempsy can breed even though they're different species, well good for them! That's just the evolutionary chain. As far as mistakingly purchasing hybrid fry, people just need to be careful of where and from whom they buy from.
Though it should be pointed out that the Texas and JD should not even be breeding in the first place, for being from 2 totally different ecosystems. Thus 2 breeding really shouldn't be considered natural or a part of natural life.
Personally, and don't flame me for saying this.....but if i ever had batches of hybrids i'd either cull them or use them for feeders. They would not leave my house/tanks.
Sure the babies have no choice but the fish keeper does. You will find very few hybrids in the wild.
Personally, and don't flame me for saying this.....but if i ever had batches of hybrids i'd either cull them or use them for feeders. They would not leave my house/tanks.
Sure the babies have no choice but the fish keeper does. You will find very few hybrids in the wild.
If you want to cross different species for your own sick pleasure, then so be it. They are your fish do what you want too with them.
But I really don't like to see unsuspecting people being suckered in by 'Fad' fish. Its like getting into the hobby for the wrong reason.
Kinda like the Flowerhorns. What a ugly abomination of nature. But for some strange reason they were selling at one point for well over $1000. I don't like any kind of fad in the first place, but fads certinly shouldn't revolve around liveing animals.
But I really don't like to see unsuspecting people being suckered in by 'Fad' fish. Its like getting into the hobby for the wrong reason.
Kinda like the Flowerhorns. What a ugly abomination of nature. But for some strange reason they were selling at one point for well over $1000. I don't like any kind of fad in the first place, but fads certinly shouldn't revolve around liveing animals.
I am not a fan but I do not condemn people for havening or selling them. My favorite LFS sells blood parrots (but not painted fish which is another issue entirely) because they are an indy and have to make a living. I don't mind breeding fish for different color as long as it does not really change the fish mechanically (like blood parrots). I have kept angels and goramies that were not "natural" but they were not species cross breeds.