Very interesting article on the Mojarra fish and Convict Cichlid
https://cichlidae.com/reference.php?id=11776
https://cichlidae.com/reference.php?id=11776
The non native convict cichlid
- Thread starter tlindsey
- Start date
Here in Panama,beside the Tilapies, Oscars, managuense. and Cichla are invasive, and are phasing out endemics.
In Cuatro Cienegas Mexico, jewel cichlids (Hemichromus) have been introduced to the fragile desert pools.
Even in remote areas like Tulum, Tilapines were more prevalent that native Parachromis, and other endemic cichlids.
Aktun Ha
In Cuatro Cienegas Mexico, jewel cichlids (Hemichromus) have been introduced to the fragile desert pools.
Even in remote areas like Tulum, Tilapines were more prevalent that native Parachromis, and other endemic cichlids.
Aktun Ha
Are the invasive oscars showing HITH in Panama's hard water areas? or are they primarily in soft water areas of Panama? Or both?
What about the cichla?
I’ve always been curious about this too. Now thinking about it, most of Florida has high ph/hardness too right? I know cichlids adapt and evolve quickly, but seems it would be fast.
I know out of tap Florida has high PH/hardness, but I don't know if the waterways, canals and rivers where they are found are the same. I haven't seen fishkeepers test those waters and post results. Or maybe it's moot because the nitrates are really low and the fish can breed in less than 3 years before the onset of HITH.
Does HITH eventually progress to a fatal condition? I am thinking that even if HITH were affecting those fish, they would be able to grow to maturity and reproduce before it got severe enough to stop them.
It's often stated that many fish species that have been bred for many generations in captivity lose some of their "finickiness" regarding extremes of pH, hardness, etc. If that's true...and it seems reasonable...perhaps the introduced invaders are doing likewise in their new homes?
The problem with these introductions is that no matter how much education the general public and the aquarium community gets regarding the dangers of invasive introductions...all it takes is one jerk with a bait bucket and a bad attitude to let the genie out of the bottle...and then, by the time it's been noticed, it's too late to stop it.
It's often stated that many fish species that have been bred for many generations in captivity lose some of their "finickiness" regarding extremes of pH, hardness, etc. If that's true...and it seems reasonable...perhaps the introduced invaders are doing likewise in their new homes?
The problem with these introductions is that no matter how much education the general public and the aquarium community gets regarding the dangers of invasive introductions...all it takes is one jerk with a bait bucket and a bad attitude to let the genie out of the bottle...and then, by the time it's been noticed, it's too late to stop it.
Maybe that’s it-the low nitrates in the wild. I believe Florida is mostly limestone/coral like most of Central America and Mexico so waterways are probably high ph too.