What's wrong with hybrids?

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

Or quite simply don't grow out the hybrids, just leave them in the tank and the problem is solved. The problem is too many people will raise the hybrids and spread them around.

 

[dogofwar]

But how is that any different than a person buying a mis-labeled "pure" fish and breeding it with another actual "pure" fish?

The problem is irresponsible behavior by vendors and fishkeepers...not the existence of hybrids.

the problem is that most hybrids in the hobby are not known hybrids...instead it is yellow labidochromis hybrids that someone buys from an assorted tank and then breeds with their pure labs, and then distribute the fry as such. With all these species disappearing, wouldn't you want there to be pure species still around.

 

[rallysman]

The problem is irresponsible behavior by vendors and fishkeepers...not the existence of hybrids.

That's a great statement.
I feel that if hybrid fish weren't frowned upon so much, people would be less reluctant to label them appropriately.

 

[FSM]

I have no problem with hybrids, although some of the more popular ones are absolutely hideous. The fish purists think they are spawn of satan or something though.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

My problem with something like blood parrots is just the deformity, at least they are not something that can be mistaken with any pure fish. My beef is mostly with times that people have something like a Petenia mix with a red devil, or JD x trimac, or whatever, and then these hybrids are spread around and will at some point reach people who will breed those with something else, just because they find the mix to be cool. As serious cichlid keepers we should make attempts to keep different species pure.

 

[rallysman]

My problem with something like blood parrots is just the deformity, at least they are not something that can be mistaken with any pure fish. My beef is mostly with times that people have something like a Petenia mix with a red devil, or JD x trimac, or whatever, and then these hybrids are spread around and will at some point reach people who will breed those with something else, just because they find the mix to be cool. As serious cichlid keepers we should make attempts to keep different species pure.

Forget purity, promote honesty!

 

[FSM]

I agree that mislabeling of hybrids is an issue. Especially with fry.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

but it is as much an issue of ignorance more than honesty

 

[rallysman]

but it is as much an issue of ignorance more than honesty

That's a moot point when it comes to hybrids since pure fish are just as subject to said ignorance.

 

[Mattyou]

Buy from a reputable source, get what you asked for. Buy from a chain store, get what you see, not what it's labled, because that 16 year old kid selling them to you has no freaking clu and we all know the label is wrong before we walked in 8 out of 10 times. If you want pure, get it from a specialist. If you end up with hybrids and do go slinging them around town like crack, let the people know its a mutt, might be a pretty one, but a mutt non the less.