Article: Your thoughts on hybrids...

[xEchOx]

After the replies about the article I'm writing I decided to get a feel for what folks here think about some of the points I'll be taking on in this article. Obviously everyone here is going to be pro hybrids, but nonetheless I'd like to get some feedback about what you think about a few topics that hybrid fish have been a part of.

A- Fish identification. The introduction of hybrids and the numerous shops selling unmarked fish has created a hodge-podge of fish that no one can properly identify, what are your thoughts about this.

B- Creating new fish. It seems every year there is some new type of FH or hybrid that is all the hype. These new types of fish are great for sales and the hobby itself, but some of the 'lower grade' types are making it into the market... Is the never-ending curve of new hybrids a positive or negative influence for us?

 

[xEchOx]

I'm sure someone has something to say.

 

[beantickler]

After the replies about the article I'm writing I decided to get a feel for what folks here think about some of the points I'll be taking on in this article. Obviously everyone here is going to be pro hybrids, but nonetheless I'd like to get some feedback about what you think about a few topics that hybrid fish have been a part of.

A- Fish identification. The introduction of hybrids and the numerous shops selling unmarked fish has created a hodge-podge of fish that no one can properly identify, what are your thoughts about this.

B- Creating new fish. It seems every year there is some new type of FH or hybrid that is all the hype. These new types of fish are great for sales and the hobby itself, but some of the 'lower grade' types are making it into the market... Is the never-ending curve of new hybrids a positive or negative influence for us?

A- If you can't identify wtf you are buying then maybe you shouldn't be buying it. I'm not a fan of stores selling unmarked fish but if they are labeled properly then it does not bother me one bit...

B- This is what the flowerhorn hobby is all about bro. Flowerhorns are becoming more of a status symbol. Breeders are coming out with new lines every few months. Low grade flowerhorns have their place in the market too IMO though. There are a lot of people who want a personable fish but just can't afford a high quality one. I personally wouldn't waste my time on any low grade fish period. No matter if its a hybrid or a pure fish.

 

[xEchOx]

A- If you can't identify wtf you are buying then maybe you shouldn't be buying it. I'm not a fan of stores selling unmarked fish but if they are labeled properly then it does not bother me one bit...

I agree, but I don't think it is that simple. Not all fish are unmarked, some are mislabeled.

B- This is what the flowerhorn hobby is all about bro. Flowerhorns are becoming more of a status symbol. Breeders are coming out with new lines every few months. Low grade flowerhorns have their place in the market too IMO though. There are a lot of people who want a personable fish but just can't afford a high quality one. I personally wouldn't waste my time on any low grade fish period. No matter if its a hybrid or a pure fish.

I can see that. I just got done browsing through the SRT photo thread. Definitely a gap between the real quality SRT's, and the low grade SRT's. I guess they aren't really that low quality, but not like some of the really nice ones.

 

[Nabbig2]

After the replies about the article I'm writing I decided to get a feel for what folks here think about some of the points I'll be taking on in this article. Obviously everyone here is going to be pro hybrids, but nonetheless I'd like to get some feedback about what you think about a few topics that hybrid fish have been a part of.

A- Fish identification. The introduction of hybrids and the numerous shops selling unmarked fish has created a hodge-podge of fish that no one can properly identify, what are your thoughts about this.

B- Creating new fish. It seems every year there is some new type of FH or hybrid that is all the hype. These new types of fish are great for sales and the hobby itself, but some of the 'lower grade' types are making it into the market... Is the never-ending curve of new hybrids a positive or negative influence for us?

I am all for hybrids that aren't crippled and lead miserable lives. However, it needs to be taken with responsibility, and unfortunately, some of the time it's not, and there is no way to stop that.

A-Yes, there is the problem of unidentifiable species, and this could cause problems. I can just hope that people will keep track of these fish, and go about buying and selling them responsibly.

B-I don't see why a lower grade fish is a negative influence. Beauty is completely subjective, as long as the hybrid isn't plagued with physical (and possibly mental) deformities, I don't see how lower grade hybrids can cause more of a problem than any other hybrids. Naturally, if nobody likes a certain hybrid, it will be eventually weeded out of the market.

 

[beantickler]

I agree, but I don't think it is that simple. Not all fish are unmarked, some are mislabeled.



I can see that. I just got done browsing through the SRT photo thread. Definitely a gap between the real quality SRT's, and the low grade SRT's. I guess they aren't really that low quality, but not like some of the really nice ones.

One MAJOR problem with having a hybrid fish is owner responsibility... Lets face it... There are some idiots in this world who wouldn't even think twice about tossing their unwanted fish (hybrid or not) into public waterways. This IMO is the true concern with hybrids. Selling hybrids and not knowing wtf kind of fish you even have is one thing... It's when these idiots toss their hybrids into warm lakes and streams and the survive and reproduce with pure fish that becomes a problem. This is the only valid reason I can see for purists to hate on our beloved Flowers...

 

[jmatthewvan]

I say let people breed away!Any of us who have kept cichlids/fish long enough and are strongly opinionated in the hybrid topic should be educated enough to tell a hybrid from a purebreed at any given time.I see hybrids everywhere but i still have all the purebreed cichlids that I want in my tanks.If i see a hybrid that I like,I buy it,if I don't like it,pass.No sweat off my b@lls and there shouldn't be any off yours...

 

[jmatthewvan]

One MAJOR problem with having a hybrid fish is owner responsibility... Lets face it... There are some idiots in this world who wouldn't even think twice about tossing their unwanted fish (hybrid or not) into public waterways. This IMO is the true concern with hybrids. Selling hybrids and not knowing wtf kind of fish you even have is one thing... It's when these idiots toss their hybrids into warm lakes and streams and the survive and reproduce with pure fish that becomes a problem. This is the only valid reason I can see for purists to hate on our beloved Flowers...

Are you kidding me? If the fish isn't native to the lakes or waterways that they're being dumped into,it doesn't even make the slightest difference if it's a hybrid or a purebreed,it doesn't belong there altogether! I'd be just as shocked if I went fishing and caught a pure Midas as I would ANY sort of hybrid/Flowerhorn.If purists are mad about that,they definitely need to dig a little deeper into the problem...

 

[beantickler]

One MAJOR problem with having a hybrid fish is owner responsibility... Lets face it... There are some idiots in this world who wouldn't even think twice about tossing their unwanted fish (hybrid or not) into public waterways. This IMO is the true concern with hybrids. Selling hybrids and not knowing wtf kind of fish you even have is one thing... It's when these idiots toss their hybrids into warm lakes and streams and the survive and reproduce with pure fish that becomes a problem. This is the only valid reason I can see for purists to hate on our beloved Flowers...

Are you kidding me? If the fish isn't native to the lakes or waterways that they're being dumped into,it doesn't even make the slightest difference if it's a hybrid or a purebreed,it doesn't belong there altogether! I'd be just as shocked if I went fishing and caught a pure Midas as I would ANY sort of hybrid/Flowerhorn.If purists are mad about that,they definitely need to dig a little deeper into the problem...

I get what your saying and I agree but the OP is not looking for info or opinions on pure or non native species...

 

[xEchOx]

I am all for hybrids that aren't crippled and lead miserable lives. However, it needs to be taken with responsibility, and unfortunately, some of the time it's not, and there is no way to stop that.

A-Yes, there is the problem of unidentifiable species, and this could cause problems. I can just hope that people will keep track of these fish, and go about buying and selling them responsibly.

I think that we know that this isn't going to happen, and in fact, there was a thread recently in the Central and South American forum about a guy who owned a store and was basically making up new scientific names to sell hybrids....

B-I don't see why a lower grade fish is a negative influence. Beauty is completely subjective, as long as the hybrid isn't plagued with physical (and possibly mental) deformities, I don't see how lower grade hybrids can cause more of a problem than any other hybrids. Naturally, if nobody likes a certain hybrid, it will be eventually weeded out of the market.

Interesting point of view. I've not looked at it this way I guess. What I was thinking mainly was about some low grade FH's resembling Trimacs, but there is such a wide berth of physical forms and colors now that many hybrids low grade or not wouldn't resemble anything, other than a hybrid fish.