What are your opinions about hybrid cichlids?
- Thread starter ParachromisPower
- Start date
I have a few so called Line breed cichlids. Super Red Severum and Phil. Blue Angels come to mind. I guess these fall into the hybrid group? I have no real problem with Hybrids and never have. Just be responsible about selling them to LFS and in turn LFS need to take responsibliity about selling Hybrids back to the public by labeling them as such. I have come across some stunning FH over the years.
I like hybrids, its interesting to see what different crosses look like. I think its rediculous though to actually charge more money for them . There just a mix bred fish,pure bred fish should carry the higher price tag imo
I suspect the difficulty in obtaining pure trimacs in a pet shop began way before the introduction of flowerhorns to the US. Please people, if you knew of an lfs that sold pure trimacs before hybrids came into fashion, you were one lucky s.o.b.
Yeah I've seen that before. You are talking about naturalized hybridization that contributes to the evolution of a species. I'm all for fish hybridizing in the wild and evolving naturally over time. I thought you were talking about us hybridizing with something now (maybe a pre-coffee interpretation).
I do, however, have a problem with intentional hybridization in a captive and controlled environment and mostly for the intention of profit as with Flowerhorns and Blood Parrots. And what if these things get out in the wild? There are already huge problems with released fish in Florida waters. We don't need hybrids out there too possibly re-hybridizing with available contaminate species.
I just think that we are running a huge risk in potentially contaminating the very fish that we love. Just think if FH's are mostly Trimac and some get into a system where Trimac naturally reside? There are so many screw ups with introduced species already (ie Lake Victoria), but we throw in something not natural on top of it.
Problems continue to compound upon each other. So why run the risk of contributing to it and as responsible fish keepers, deal with your hybrids like you should.
The only hybrid I do truly hate are blood parrots. Just a grotesque looking fish, imo.
True trimacs are not hard to find at all... you just have to be willing to pay for shipping!
-Rich
True trimacs are not hard to find at all... you just have to be willing to pay for shipping!
-Rich
It may be sad to say for some ( I am not one of those people), but Hybrids are here to stay... Personally, as long as the hybrids stay in home aquaria and do not become prevalent in the wild I do not see a problem with them.
I am also of the belief that what the hobby really needs is a stronger network of suppliers/breeders that are able to supply pure fish for those enthusiasts that want them without heavily taxing the wild populations.
I am also of the belief that what the hobby really needs is a stronger network of suppliers/breeders that are able to supply pure fish for those enthusiasts that want them without heavily taxing the wild populations.
Do you think buying from a "Credible" source is getting a true Trimac??? Like the Rapps, etc. I've always admired Trimacs as well, not that I can take anymore fishes.
I have to agree, a huge percentage of aquarium standards are hybrids, guppies, angels etc. This has been true for as long as the hobby has been around.
Also agree with you on the need for people to educate themselves. If you think an fh looks like a trimac...if obtaining a pure trimac were on my agenda..I'd surely be educating myself as how to recognize one.
And as I stated before, if you knew of a local fish store that sold pure trimacs before fh came along, then you were lucky.
I also have to question the growing trend of buying/selling F0 fish, yes it can be a wonderful thing, but some seem to take it to extremes. Always seeking that new fish to add to their collection, always wanting more, more, more.
That sort of mentality isn't doing the hobby or the pure species any favors.
Especially when I think of how many threads I've read that began.."I got bored with my insert species w/regional name, so I got rid of them and bought species w/regional name" or "these are pics of all my F0/F1 fish and F1/F2 fry...where are they now? Oh I don't have them anymore...these ones were sold, the others were traded off for something new..." etc, etc.
If pure/F0,F1,F2 species are so precious, why does it seem as if they are so disposable?
