Hi all, I noticed that when most people speak about breeding cichlids the main suggestion is to get a group of juveniles and let them pair up. While I think this is good it doesn’t take into account one of the main complaints we have, the lack of genetic diversity. Inbred fish usually/eventually are less robust, less true personality traits and are less colorful. That leads people to seek after wild caught specimens, that can lead to another set of problems. I understand that sometimes it’s hard to find juveniles, especially some of the more rare species, but a lot of people don’t put forth the effort to shop around. I understand line-breeding for certain traits. Am I missing something here? I would have posted this in the genre cichlid forum but evidently I don’t have “sufficient privileges” to post there.
Breeding observation
- Thread starter Brazzen1
- Start date
You overlook the fact that inbreeding in fish functions differently than in mammals or birds due to differing chromosome sets. It occurs more frequently in nature than we commonly assume and is far less harmful. Sometimes it even brings genetic advantages.
Most of the effects in captive-bred strains that we interpret as signs of inbreeding are primarily due to a lack of natural selection. The survival rate of fish in aquariums is often many times higher than in the wild. This means that many specimens are bred that would never have survived in nature and can therefore pass on their weaker genes.
The assumption that aquarium strains are less robust and colorful is also not generally true. This may be true for some fish, but for many others, the opposite is true. African cichlids, for example, become more robust and colorful when bred in captivity under proper conditions.
Most of the effects in captive-bred strains that we interpret as signs of inbreeding are primarily due to a lack of natural selection. The survival rate of fish in aquariums is often many times higher than in the wild. This means that many specimens are bred that would never have survived in nature and can therefore pass on their weaker genes.
The assumption that aquarium strains are less robust and colorful is also not generally true. This may be true for some fish, but for many others, the opposite is true. African cichlids, for example, become more robust and colorful when bred in captivity under proper conditions.
I totally agree with this, captive breeding is to an advantage but what I’m saying is it should be done seriously and responsibly. Same thing applies to hybrids, nature has put in safeguards to cut down on inbreeding, even if just the desire to disperse.
When aquarists focus is simply on breeding and it is just about color, this sometimes ignores what is best for an actually healthy individual, and/or especially what that species might make them viable in nature.
Look at (for instance) the health viability of EBJDs compared to wild forms, and its pretty obvious, even just simple aquarium hardiness when opting just for the most colorful seems sometimes questionable.
In a spawn of a thousand in nature, if 1 or 2 individuals make it thru the guantlet of survival of the fittest that is a success.
So sometimes when we allow hundreds of fry to survive from a single spawn, we are not doing te species (even the aquarium strains) any favors.
Look at (for instance) the health viability of EBJDs compared to wild forms, and its pretty obvious, even just simple aquarium hardiness when opting just for the most colorful seems sometimes questionable.
In a spawn of a thousand in nature, if 1 or 2 individuals make it thru the guantlet of survival of the fittest that is a success.
So sometimes when we allow hundreds of fry to survive from a single spawn, we are not doing te species (even the aquarium strains) any favors.
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Exactly, btw duanes, since you’re a moderator why am I restricted in posting to certain forums?