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 100% agree, the last thing we need is for people to release ANY captive fish ANYWHERE.
I personally don't breed hybrids for profit, I make
almost enough to pay for fish food. Thats hardly worth it financially, I breed them because I find them beautiful. To do it for any other reason seems disgusting, so I agree 100% on that one too. There are far too many that don't think as I do, they are definitely just in it for the money and or status.
However...
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.
1.
Could fish released in the US contaminate
a wild poulation of trimac? I don't see this as very probable, and is in the end questioning a different sort of ethic.
As stated previously NO responsible aquarist should EVER release a captive fish into the wild, regardless of its ancestory!
2. What fish keepers "should" do with hybrids sounds like a pretty loaded/inflammatory statement.
I hate when hybrids with clear and obvious signs of deformity/ill health are bred, I wish it would stop, I think it's wrong...but I don't think
I have the right to tell other breeders to stop. They (I assume), are grown and have the right to choose their own set of ethics.
Some think parrots and short body fish in general are hideous...an abominantion..but I happen to love them. Again, thats
my personal ethic,
my choice.
The only set of ethics that "should" bind us as aquarists collectively, are just common sense and humane treatment.
1. Always treat your fish humanely, appropriate size tank, proper food, keep them in good health etc.
2. Always honestly represent the fish you breed/sell/give away.
3. Never release a captive fish into the wild for any reason.
Breeding a deformed fish is inhumane, to me many fish in the hobby..especially goldfish are simply just wrong. As are batman ray's. As are bulldog discus. As are fancy guppies with tails so long and flowing they can barely swim. As are bettas...over long fins they can barely use, skeletal fins that are almost functionless. Flowerhorn's with such a large/lowhanging nuchal hump they must swim in an upright position just to see...over time their muscles atrophy from improper usage/development and their body curls/deforms into the shape of the letter c.....
All these things are awful to me...I simply don't choose to support the ones I think are wrong by buying them. You will never change the atrocities you see occurring in the hobby, just as you will never get everyone to agree on what exactly is ethically/morally wrong.
....dogs are also technically not hybrids.
