What do you want answered?

[VRWC]

I might have to do that. I have heard that Don Conkel is a crook so I was a little hesitant. I have heard from a few people that have dealt with him that he sells sick, diseased, fish or they were different ones than ordered, etc. And I can't find any sources of a Lahillas or Chairel lakes in mexico, or any other info online, only escondida and only things from Don Conkel. Probably just hearsay, I don't know him at all. I will take your word for it that he is a good guy though.

Well, I only hear that from lesser educated people, that are more often than not, jealous that they arent doing the business he is. I do know that with fishfarms, some fish get into other ponds and crossbreed and sometimes those fish get shipped as one thing when they arent. Mistakes happen.

As for Diseased or sick fish, Ive bought from the most popular and respected vendors on here and had fish die on me a week later. Some fish just cant handle shipping, temp variants, airborne chemicals during shipping etc, so I dont blame any of the vendors I purchase from. I think its a certain amount of maturity, class & common sense that keeps those of us that have lost fish after purchase, from trashing the vendors we bought them from. There are MANY factors to losing fish and to put all the blame on the vendor is just a lack of experience and education in the trade.

That being said, EVERY time Ive talked with him, hes been nothing but helpful and spoken for long periods of time with me and the fish Ive purchased from him have all been top notch and completely healthy. The people I know that have been on trips with him couldnt speak more highly of someone, and the shop owners I know that purchase from him have the same opinions.

Sorry for the derail Mo.

 

[BrynMichael]

Good to hear. I will have to try and get a hold of him. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Fish Talking Joe]

One question would be is their any new findings on the la cieba parachromis?

 

[Aquamojo]

Bryn...you can call Don Conkel (813) 920-9624 or email him directly info@donconkelstropicals.com and ask him that question to get a definite answer, as hes the one that collected the Lahillas from 'Lago Lahillas, Mexico' and Chariel from 'Laguna Chairel, Mexico' .

Ive had all 3 of the carpintis youve mentioned and they are all locale differences...each beautiful in their own right. I prefer the Lahillas over them all, and the female at that. I prefer the royal/navy blue coloration and the black undertones.

Hes a very easy guy to talk to, one of the most educated & experienced guys in the trade and can give you an in depth explanation, as well as directions to where you can find them probably. Hes that helpful.

Please dont let that deter Mo from asking Jaun Miguel though, as Id like to hear his educated & experienced explanation as well.

I think Don might be at the convention. If I see him, I will be sure to try and get that on tape s well for everyone to see.

Mo

 

[BrynMichael]

Oh man that would be awesome!! Totally excellent! I'm waiting for this one.

 

[young_rico]

do they ever do any conventions in Texas?

 

[cichlaguapote]

Ok back on topic. Ask them what I should do with my hybrids. Thanks to this years ACA ad it seems they're a "menace" and there's a "fish war" going on somewhere. But I'd like to be sure before I ditch them.

Thanks, appreciate you asking the questions for us.

 

[fishfarm]

One question would be is their any new findings on the la cieba parachromis?

The La Ceiba Parachromis was added the "Cares Preservation list" this week as an endangered species.
From Claudia:

Parachromis sp. 'La Ceiba yellow head' has been approved and added to the CARES Conservation Priority List with a Classification of EW under Authority (3).

Following is what Paul has to say in regards to the addition:

While I strongly suspect that these fish are simply a local race of P. friedricksthali, I think that in this case the precautionary principle applies and we should treat this taxon as a species presently extinct in nature and manage it under the auspices of the C.A.R.E.S. program until we have a better picture of its taxonomic status. We can always downlist it if it proves to be nothing more than a local race of a widely distributed species. However, if it proves to be a valid microendemic species and we loose the captive population, there is no way we can bring it back from extinction.

Ho ela velona!

Paul

 

[Aquamojo]

The La Ceiba Parachromis was added the "Cares Preservation list" this week as an endangered species.
From Claudia:

Parachromis sp. 'La Ceiba yellow head' has been approved and added to the CARES Conservation Priority List with a Classification of EW under Authority (3).

Following is what Paul has to say in regards to the addition:

While I strongly suspect that these fish are simply a local race of P. friedricksthali, I think that in this case the precautionary principle applies and we should treat this taxon as a species presently extinct in nature and manage it under the auspices of the C.A.R.E.S. program until we have a better picture of its taxonomic status. We can always downlist it if it proves to be nothing more than a local race of a widely distributed species. However, if it proves to be a valid microendemic species and we loose the captive population, there is no way we can bring it back from extinction.

Ho ela velona!

Paul

Hey Ken...that's fabulous news. Thanks for the support. See you at the convention.

 

[Mad About Cichlids]

Hey Mo thanks for doing this for those of us that won't be making it make to the convention. Can't wait to see you pix from there.