ACA Convention and New Hybrid Classes

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
dogofwar;2687475; said:
I respect your perspective Barbara but I disagree that the ACA COULDN'T have a lot to offer those who keep hybrids. Remember that a lot of people (including ACA members) who keep flowerhorns or other hybrids also keep wild-type fish. It's not hard for one kind of cichlidiot to get excited and hooked on another kind of cichlid than they're currently keeping.

A flowerhorn is a big, mean cichlid. Caring for a flowerhorn is a lot like caring for other big, mean cichlids. And the ACA could or should provide education on proper care, breeding, etc. on these fish. How different is care for an OB peacock than an AER peacock? A red devil that's a mix of species vs. one that's "pure"?

I agree that for people who keep hybrids to engage with the ACA / attend the annual conference would take an act of faith that the ACA will change its currently hostile attitude toward the fish and those who keep them. How much fun would it be to be a "closeted" flowerhorn keeper?

At its foundation, ACA Leadership needs to dispel the myth that flowerhorns are, in and of themselves, "the problem"...and focus on unifying cichlid hobbysist around responsible fish keeping!
Click to expand...

I agree that the ACA COULD have a lot to offer hybrid keepers. I just don't feel that they do now. Why would I want to join an organization that I felt I had to "closet" the fish that I most enjoy? Simply, I wouldn't join.

As I stated, I would have no problem with hybrids being allowed into the ACA. Not my cup of tea, but I might learn things about keeping fish that I never would have without their inclusion. I am not a fish snob. I keep tetras, a Black Ghost Knife, Gouramis, and Angels as well as my African cichlids. I enjoy all of my tanks, but take my Victorians more seriously than I take the rest of my tanks. My husband loves plecos, and we keep a small variety of those as well. He also loves planted tanks, so we have a couple of those.

I think this hobby is about keeping what you love. I love my collection of fish. I get a lot of enjoyment out of my tanks. I love learning more about the fish I keep. I think that at its core, the ACA needs to remember this, that this is a hobby for most of us, and this debate hasn't been enjoyable. A lot of people have been insulted and hurt by this. Maybe the end result will be some understanding on all sides, but until the ACA makes a final ruling, this will not completely be resolved.
 
LadyBarbara001;2687633; said:
I think this hobby is about keeping what you love. I love my collection of fish. I get a lot of enjoyment out of my tanks. I love learning more about the fish I keep. I think that at its core, the ACA needs to remember this, that this is a hobby for most of us, and this debate hasn't been enjoyable. A lot of people have been insulted and hurt by this. Maybe the end result will be some understanding on all sides, but until the ACA makes a final ruling, this will not completely be resolved.
Click to expand...


:thumbsup: Well said.

pug
 
I agree as well, Barbara.

The decision falls squarely on the ACA's leadership to decide: inclusion or exclusion...

Inclusion will result in fall-out (as we've seen) from the purists among the ACA (who also include some of the people who do a lot of work for the ACA)...but - with follow-through - will result in a cultural shift / turning a new page for the ACA as an organization.

Exclusion will result in appeasement of the purists among the ACA...and if exclusion means that cosmetically line bred fish are no longer "acceptable" lots and lots of fall-out.

My bet is for the status quo exclusion without a rational basis (flowerhorn = bad; fancy red discus, EBJD = good).
 
Mr.Firemouth;2686758; said:
If linebreeding is done correctly, and an outcross to a new fish from another source is done every 4th generation no deformities will occur. Dr. Joanne Norton has made many articles on how to line breed without deformities or weak fish and how to maintain a captive strain.

At least I can admit to being a hypocrite and state that I like linebred fish with better colors and dislike the odd looking hybrid fish.(Odd IMO,only)

I also do not believe the ACA'ers are fish snobs. They are purists with a different view point. I find it strange that they are OK with people who keep hybrids and don't disrespect them in any of the threads on the ACA site, but hybrid keepers want to refer to them as fish snobs.

There is a science to line breeding so that you can trace a recessive trait, recreate it over and over, and fix a strain to breed true. Can this be said about the random manipulation of hybrid crosses?

Is there any proof or research that hybrids do not create deformities or weak fish compared to the health of the fish they were created from?

Why be so argumentative anyway?

Why NOT go to an ACA convention? Wouldn't you be interested in the speakers showing cool videos of fish in their natural habitat? Would it not be interesting to listen to their talks on collecting or the behavior of the fish we keep in the wild?

What about seeing the sites while in Cincinnati? There are tours and other fun things to do while there.

It is more than just picking up a few bags of fish. It is what you make of your time while there. It is up to you.
Click to expand...




So, because you admit to hypocrisy, it makes it ok? I think THAT IS the problem.....


Moreover, why would they bad mouth us where we can not defend ourselves? We are not allowed there...They ARE allowed here (where they can and do defend themselves)....Fair play bud....
 
Per the ACA site:
Fish Wars, the Hybrid Menace!
 
Knowdafish;2689557; said:
Per the ACA site:
Fish Wars, the Hybrid Menace!
Click to expand...





WOW!:eek: At least they have Li on the BOT now :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2I will be the first one to bump this thread when we start seeing some results.
 
bigspizz;2689542; said:
So, because you admit to hypocrisy, it makes it ok? I think THAT IS the problem.....


Moreover, why would they bad mouth us where we can not defend ourselves? We are not allowed there...They ARE allowed here (where they can and do defend themselves)....Fair play bud....
Click to expand...



Anyone can join the ACA forum, without joining the ACA. At no cost. You can join and defend yourself if that's your wish. You can read most of the latest debate without even joining the forum.



American Cichlid Association Forum (Powered by Invision Power Board)
 
Your logic makes no sense. You said that you were bad mouthed at the ACA forum...yet you won't visit to see if that's true. You say you can't go there to defend yourself, yet, when given an option to, you refuse. I don't understand.
 
LadyBarbara001;2689704; said:
Your logic makes no sense. You said that you were bad mouthed at the ACA forum...yet you won't visit to see if that's true. You say you can't go there to defend yourself, yet, when given an option to, you refuse. I don't understand.
Click to expand...




Right...I never said I was bad mouthed...Go re read what I wrote...I said "Why would they bad mouth us where we can not defend our selves" If you need further clarification, that is fine. That basically is me saying they (in my opinion) do NOT bad mouth us (hybrid keepers) on their forum, because there is no need. I was addressing Mr Firemouths quandary
"I find it strange that they are OK with people who keep hybrids and don't disrespect them in any of the threads on the ACA site, but hybrid keepers want to refer to them as fish snobs."
Click to expand...
..... We say what we say here, because they are hear to respond to it. They do not "disrespect" us THERE, because they know we are NOT there. I never said "I can't go there to defend myself" I said it is not needed. Let me know if you still do not get it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom