06/08/93 ag508 <1> AQUATIC SURVIVAL Bulletin of the Aquatic Conservation Network Volume 1, Number 1 - March 1992 ISSN 1188-553X (unformatted version) 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8 Tel. (613) 729-4670. Fax. (613) 729-5613. (CompuServe: 71022,3537) (Internet: rob@pinetree.org) *********** Aquatic Conservation Network Directors Dennis Hough, 3626 Glenwood Springs Dr., Kingwood, Texas 77345, USA. Tel: (713) 360-9549. Fax: (713) 360-0855 Rob Huntley, 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8. Tel: (613) 729-4670. Fax: (613) 729-5613. Shawn Prescott, Red Sea Fish pHarm Ltd., P.O. Box 4045, Eilat 88000, Israel. Tel: 972-7-331307. Fax: 972-7-379340. Advisory Directors Chris Andrews, National Aquarium in Baltimore Eugene Balon, Institute of Ichthyology, University of Guelph Heiko Bleher, Aquarium Rio, Germany Al Castro, formerly with the Steinhart Aquarium Bruce Gebhardt, North American Native Fishes Association Nelson Herwig, Houston Zoo Ken Lazara, American Museum of Natural History Paul Loiselle, New York Aquarium Gene Lucas, Biology Department, Drake University Gordon Reid, North of England Zoological Society Tony Ribbink, JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology Daniel Richardson, Federation of American Aquarium Societies Craig Watson, Florida Cooperative Extension Service *********** AQUATIC SURVIVAL Bulletin of the Aquatic Conservation Network International Standard Serial Number - ISSN 1188-553X Published quarterly (March, June, September and December) by The Aquatic Conservation Network, Inc., 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8. Attn: Robert V. Huntley, Editor. Telephone: (613) 729-4670. Fax: (613) 729-5613. Upcoming deadlines for submissions are May 22, 1992, August 21, 1992 and November 20, 1992. The views expressed in published material are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Aquatic Conservation Network. 06/08/93 ag508 <2> JOIN NOW! Annual membership is $25.00 (Canadian or U.S.) Aquatic Conservation Network 540 Roosevelt Avenue Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2A 1Z8 *********** Aquatic Survival Deadline for the next issue is May 22, 1992 06/08/93 ag508 <3> THE AQUATIC CONSERVATION NETWORK - A COOPERATIVE EFFORT! by Shawn Prescott There has been a relentless assault by mankind on the environment and disastrous consequences on the planet's wildlife. Of particular interest to us are the fish and the complex interactions between the fauna and flora of aquatic habitats. I would like to enumerate some of the major causes of the decline in aquatic species; all of which result from man's unthinking and selfish behaviour. I would count them as a modern version of the 10 plagues, and in no particular order they are: cyanide collection of fish; overfishing of whales; overfishing by longlines and other factory methods; oil pollution; acid rain; introduction of alien species; industrial pollution of river systems; destruction of wetlands; elimination of habitat for man made activity; and destruction of the ozone layer. I am sure others could be named. But I do not intend to dwell on these 10 or any other destructive effects man has had on the aquatic environment, as I am sure that most persons with an interest in this field are aware of their deleterious effects. For some considerable period of time there has been an inter- nationally coordinated programme, run by the zoological societies of the world, to breed and preserve many of the threatened animal species that are likewise in danger by man's rapacious plundering of the planet earth. This programme is held to the highest genetic and other standards. By correct scientific management, record keeping and systematic exchange of rare species, some species have in fact been brought back from the brink of extinction by these efforts, and in some cases have been reintroduced to the original habitat where they were otherwise extinct. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed 761 species of freshwater and marine fishes on their most current (1990) Red List. This is without considering many species that may have already disappeared forever, species for which their has been insufficient field study but which may be in peril, and species not yet discovered (and which may never be discovered if they disappear first). There is a programme headed by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria, and in collaboration with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, this group has been successful in breeding eleven species of Lake Victoria haplochromines as well as certain North American desert species. Some 35 international institutions are involved with, or have expressed interest in, captive breeding programs and associated systemic collection and research. In spite of the most commendable efforts of those organizations and persons involved, further serious help is needed if many species are not to be lost forever. The task is an enormous one considering the numbers of species now endangered. The problem is that to be able to breed even one species properly, there is a requirement for expertise as well as considerable facilities. Also, to be meaning- ful in a global context, there is a need for proper supervision, genetic management, international record keeping, the cooperation of recognized world bodies to facilitate capture of limited stocks, and many other factors. The zoos and public aquaria do not have the number of persons, the money, or the required facilities to handle the size of the problem, even if all of them were to participate. I believe there exists throughout the world a large body of persons who have interest, resources and expertise to provide a very important extra capability to the task of preservation, and that group is to be found in the hobby of tropical fish keeping, most especially among the members of the hundreds of societies that exist in most developed countries. If these societies could be organized under a properly constituted organization, with detailed and scientific supervision and collaboration of the appropriate world bodies, then I believe a really worthwhile addition could be made to the endangered species breeding programme. It is important, however, to be aware that such a programme has many technical problems to overcome before it can hope to come into existence and play any worthwhile role. It must establish itself with serious persons who have the ear of the regulatory bodies, so that changes in existing regulations can be made to allow them to enter into the breeding programmes. Currently in most countries an endangered species is restricted in access to approved bodies only. It must show credibility in the type of structure it intends to build to oversee the programme, by examining the control and supervisory organization it will erect, and such an organization, to be worthwhile, must have qualified geneticists and other scientific staff, as well as management. It will need a substantial budget to manage the international nature of its brief. Conse- quently a strategy for obtaining financial support will be required. Also, as many of the species involved may not have yet been bred in captivity, the organization would need at its headquarters to have the staff and the facilities to investigate the techniques for some species, along with the necessary water quality parameters, and having established them, so impart the knowledge to participating members. To obtain the full endorsement of the various worldwide aquarium clubs, it will have to be demonstrated that there is an advantage for them as well. I feel sure that such a benefit can be so demonstrated, as the really keen hobbyists who take so much of their leisure time to be a member, will benefit to the full in extra knowledge gained, the intense pride in being part of an international movement for a worthwhile cause, and the excitement of an occasional international meeting. Such a programme will be able to encourage the serious aquarist in a way that few other activities could. Such an organization would have to establish questions of ownership of fish stocks so entrusted to societies for breeding .... what will happen if a club member leaves the programme, or dies .... who will own the stocks? It would have to decide therefore questions of membership, would these be corporate or individual? At which point would authorizations be made and to whom? These would need careful legal examination, otherwise we certainly could not expect the endorsement of the scientific community and the support of international aquarium societies. The costs of international exchange will have to be borne by the organization, as well as liaison with the international bodies. Notwithstanding all the inherent problems as stated, and there are many others, I believe it is worthwhile to further investigate the concept. To this end, the Aquatic Conservation Network has been established and a Steering Committee has been appointed. This committee is comprised of internationally recognized individuals representing the hobby, industry and the scientific community. With the aid of this committee, the Aquatic Conservation Network will endeavour to address the issues and work towards the implementation of mechanisms which foster amateur support in the preservation of aquatic life. Our hobby is meaningful and worthwhile on many levels, and we have a responsibility to ourselves and to future generations to try to preserve the flora and fauna that the Almighty endowed us with in such rich and diverse measure. I hope that concerned individuals will support this programme in the way that he or she is best able. We are certainly the last generation that will be given even the possibility of taking some small action to reverse the disaster that all of us are in some way, as consumers, responsible for. I believe that those of us who are sufficiently motivated in their love of fish, will give in such a measure that when future generations later look back, they will not accuse us of being the "selfish and uncaring" generation. Hopefully, they will rather show us to have been enlightened and active in taking steps to ensure that our children and grandchildren will also have the same opportunity to see the wonders of nature in all its splendour and glory. (Adapted from a presentation by Shawn Prescott to the 2nd Interna- tional Aquarium Exhibition in Singapore on June 27, 1991. Shawn Prescott is a Director of the Aquatic Conservation Network, and the Managing Director of Red Sea Fish pHarm Ltd., Eilat, Israel.) 06/08/93 ag508 <4> LETTERS Letters are welcome on relevant issues, theories or solutions. Letters are an opportunity to share views, views that could be of critical importance. So often we find that we know so little, and so often we are faced with insufficient time or resources to properly research everything. Letters which document casual observations can often be useful to those on the leading edge of research. And letters which briefly summarize the results of leading research, can quickly put key information into the hands of those who can use it. Views on ACN itself and what you think we should and shouldn't be doing are most welcome. Although there is no guarantee that every letter will be printed, every effort will be made to put useful and relevant information into the hands of the membership. The ACN has received a number of letters of conceptual support. The following quotes provide a 'snapshot' of the letters received: "I really wish your organization all the best and hope that you will succeed in your aspirations" Chris van den Berge, Aqua-Terra International "Good luck with your project, this type of work helps raise the status of aquarists as responsible hobbyists." Alex Caughey, Australia New Guinea Fishes Association "...the idea of linking Educational, Environmental and a Conserva- tion agency together to form one body through which information, experiences and ideas can be "pooled" is tremendously exciting. I am sure it will create new interest in the hobby." Mike Hansell, Collingham Group, British Killifish Association "Your conservation network sounds like a worthwhile project. There should be a place for experienced aquarium hobbyists in fish conservation programs. Good hobbyists are often more specialized (and therefore more knowledgeable) within their field of interest than "professional" aquarists." Peter J. Mohan, Sea World of Ohio "I would like to have this group involved in your Aquatic Conserva- tion Network. It is a good idea and you can count me in." Al Morales, Cyprinodon and Related Genera Study and Maintenance Group, American Killifish Association "The Desert Fishes Council applauds the initiative ... to increase the involvement of tropical fish hobbyists in the conservation of threatened freshwater fishes. Under the proper guidance, tropical fish hobbyists could become a significant adjunct to existing conservation efforts." E.P. Pister, Desert Fishes Council "I have recently started a captive breeding program in my society ... and will help in any way. We need to be organized and ACN is a good start." David Sanchez, Central Florida Aquarium Society "This seems like an excellent concept. I fully agree that fisheries conservation could be well-served by the efforts of a well-informed and coordinated group of aquarium hobbyists" J.E. Williams, Div. of Wildlife & Fisheries, U.S. Dept. of the Interior "I endorse your proposal as I am convinced that cooperation between hobbyists and researchers could be a very fruitful one. If executed in a well organized and responsible way it is probably one of the best possibilities to realize a captive breeding program. It seems that you have made a proper start." Frans Witte, Haplochromis Ecology Survey Team (HEST) Last but not least is this gratefully received letter from Russ McAndrews of the New England Aquarium and Conservation Committee Chair of the American Cichlid Association. It is with great favor that I and the Board of Trustees of the American Cichlid Association, Inc. voice support for the efforts of you and your colleagues Shawn Prescott and Dennis Hough. The ACA is an international organization dedicated to the family Cichlidae, its conservation, husbandry, and the dissemination of knowledge of same. In my efforts as ACA Secretary and Conservation Committee Chair I recognize the urgent need for a program such as the Aquatic Conser- vation Network (ACN). Having applied myself to this problem for some time, and, being familiar with other similar efforts, I can say with confidence that this is the best plan to date. Financially and organizationally, it is extremely well thought out with a healthy respect for the difficulties posed by this enormous task. You are right on target with a captive maintenance network, especially with regards to the ongoing mass extinction in Lake Victoria. Since there is a shift in the distribution of dwindling conservation funds toward habitat protection L. Victoria has fallen through the cracks. Geopolitically and logistically, L. Victoria is not likely to be restored. This man-made mass extinction, the largest in modern times, has incalculable amounts to teach us and so we must save what we can, while we can. Thank you for your efforts, and best wishes. Sincerely, Russ McAndrews ACA, Secretary Conservation Committee Chair 06/08/93 ag508 <5> PROGRAM REVIEW - LAKE VICTORIA SPECIES SURVIVAL PROGRAM Systemic Collection & Research Harvard Michigan State New England Aquarium Ohio State University Old World Exotics Kenya Marine and Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) Technical Advisory Group Les Kaufman Humphrey Greenwood Frans Witte Geerit Anker Rosemary Lowe-McConnell Pim Wilhelm Semi-professional Ole Seehausen Chuck Rambo Russ McAndrews Paul Sackley Participating Institutions National Aquarium in Baltimore Bell Isle Aquarium, Detroit Columbus Zoo Aquarium Franklin Park Zoo James Record Aquarium, Fort Worth Zoo Hofstra University Indianapolis Zoo & Aquarium London Zoo Milwaukee County Zoological Garden Museum of Science, Boston New York Aquarium Oklahoma City Zoo John G. Shedd Aquarium San Antonio Zoological Garden Aquarium St. Louis Zoological Park Steinhart Aquarium Sea World of Ohio Toledo Zoological Garden Trevor Zoo Minnesota Zoological Garden Horniman Museum University of Michigan Santa Barbara Zoo 06/08/93 ag508 <6> "DYNAMIC AQUARIA" A new book, "Dynamic Aquaria", has been published as a direct result of extensive research into the problems of accurately modelling complex living ecosystems, particularly aquatic systems. Much of this research has taken place at the Smithsonian Institu- tion's Marine Systems Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Walter H. Adey. The 630 page book is coauthored by Dr. Adey and Karen Loveland of the Smithsonian's Office of Tele-communications (copy- right 1991 by Academic Press, Inc., ISBN 0-12-043790-2). Copies can be obtained at a cost of $39.95 U.S. from Academic Press, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, Attn: Book Marketing Dept. #10427, 1250 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, California 92101-9665, U.S.A. (1-800-321-5068 for U.S. and Canada customers only). There is also a video cassette available titled "Our Biosphere: The Earth in Our Hands" which can be ordered through Public Media Video, P.O. Box 800, Concord, Massachusetts 01742, U.S.A. (1-800-2- 62-8200). The book is publicized as follows: "Dynamic Aquaria is a unique book based on scientifically sound information for a new major area of aquarium/terrarium science - synthetic ecology, or the construction of living ecosystems. Major new concepts are presented that will provide the reader with practical advice on how to more closely approximate natural ecosys- tems in closed, artificial environments. Interactions of the physical and biochemical environments as they relate to various size model systems - meso-cosms, microcosms, and aquaria are explained. A core ecological concept, the food web, is also introduced into aquarium science and the problems that arise when the dynamics of the food web and the community structure become compressed are discussed. The authors also present thoughtful perspectives on how understanding our wild ecosystems and our ability to simulate them increases our knowledge of ecology and our biosphere. Several model ecosystems are covered, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Everglades mesocosms, and salt, brackish and freshwater ecosystems of smaller aquarium size. For the scientist: This book presents an array of new approaches to the development and operation of experimental ecosystems. For the professional aquarist: This book de-monstrates the ever-expanding possibilities for creating functioning ecosystems for educational display. For the hobbyist: This book covers the practical potential for building and operating aquatic ecosystems in the home and truly developing a heuristic relationship with living ecosystems. "Ecologists, fisheries biologists, marine biologists, aquaria hobbyists, and scientists concerned with water and water purifica- tion will turn to Dynamic Aquaria as a valuable resource." The book is comprehensive, and this short review cannot do justice to the detailed discussions presented. However, an item which amateur aquarists in particular might find interesting concerns the commercialization for the hobby market of one of the key techno- logical components described: The Algal Turf Scrubber The algal turf scrubber is a technology geared towards overcoming oxygen depletion and waste build-up occurring particularly at night in an aquatic ecosystem. The technique is effective in full-salt, brackish, and freshwater systems from tropical, temperate, and cold-water environments. The scrubber is a separate unit installed in the water-circulation line and with a light cycle opposite to that of the main ecosystem. When the main system is in darkness, the algae in the scrubber are photosynthesizing, oxygenating the water and removing CO2 and nitrogenous waste. The scrubber keeps oxygen at saturation point and removes all classes of dissolved animal wastes. A bonus is that plankton and larval invertebrates are not destroyed when they pass through the unit. Particulate organic matter is also left to sedimentation processes and to filter feeders in the ecosystem. The scrubbers are designed to produce high plant production and consequently high pollutant removal by providing maximum light, wave surge, controlled grazing, and exclusion of animals that would offset the effects of the algae. Periodic harvesting of the algae keeps the system running optimally since the plants are most efficient when young. Harvesting mimics natural grazing that the algae have evolved to counteract and is performed with a car windshield ice scraper or a razor blade. A Virginia based company, "ecoActivity inc.", has purchased the rights to commercialize the algal turf scrubber to make these systems available to the educational, research and serious aquarium hobbyist market. The brand name is the "ecoActive 5-Way Aquarium Management System" or "eco5" for short. The company is currently designing a recruitment program for prospective dealers. For more information on the eco5, contact Gregory Cunningham, ecoActivity inc., P.O. Box 32, Schley, Virginia 23154, U.S.A. Tel: (804) 693-4877. Fax: (804) 693-4774. 06/08/93 ag508 <7> CONSERVATION GENETICS AND EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY: A CASE STUDY OF THE CICHLID FAUNA OF LAKE VICTORIA (The Ohio State University & The Columbus Zoo) Symposium Announcement The Ohio State University College of Biological Sciences and the Columbus Zoological Gardens will co-host a symposium entitled "Conservation Genetics and Evolutionary Ecology: A Case Study of the Cichlid Fauna of Lake Victoria" on October 30 - November 3, 1992, in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. The object of the symposium is to bring together diverse workers from academic, zoo/aquarium, governmental and private sectors to discuss the genetic conservation of endangered fish communities using the Haplochromine cichlids of Lake Victoria as a case study. The meeting will include international speakers dealing with topics of taxonomy of Lake Victorian and African cichlids, the endangered state of the members of the Haplochromine fauna, ecology of various endangered aquatic taxa, progress of ecological stabilization, status of in situ and captive breeding programs, captive breeding husbandry, development of longterm captive management strategies, and future prospects for environmental restoration and species reintroduction. We also plan sessions which involve consideration of the more general aspects of the captive genetic conservation of fish. Meeting participants will also have the opportunity to tour the cichlid breeding facilities at the Columbus Zoo. We will be providing space for an open poster session for topics on current research or projects dealing with aquatic conservation. For more information contact: Doug Warmolts, Curator, Johnson Aquatic Complex, Columbus Zoo, 9990 Riverside Dr., Box 400, Powell, Ohio, U.S.A. 43065-0400. (614) 645-3446, (614) 645-3465 fax. SYMPOSIUM CHAIRMAN Paul A. Fuerst Ph. D. Associate Professor Dept. Molecular Genetics The Ohio State University HOST CHAIRMAN Douglas I. Warmolts Curator, Johnson Aquatic Complex Columbus Zoological Gardens PROGRAM COMMITTEE Les Kaufman Ph. D. Chief Scientist New England Aquarium Greg Booton Dept. Molecular Genetics The Ohio State University Sandy Andromeda Head Aquarist, Johnson Aquatic Complex Columbus Zoological Gardens Russ McAndrews New England Aquarium 06/08/93 ag508 <8> WHO'S DOING WHAT? - THE DATA ISSUE. by Rob Huntley (with contributions as noted) Clearly, a significant issue in development of a comprehensive plan for captive breeding of endangered aquatic species concerns data and information management. A number of "fish" databases are already in place. For example, there are detailed taxonomic listings of virtually every known fish species. These are primarily the domain of fisheries scientists. There are professionally co-ordinated species maintenance studbooks. On the hobby side, there are databases associated with activities of national aquarium federations, specialty hobby groups, local aquarium societies and even solo hobbyist efforts. Hobby information is often collected and managed for a specific purpose such as buying, selling and trading stock with members in far away places. Many hobbyist databases are oriented towards Breeder Award Programs, and occasionally there are "Species Maintenance" components. The following sections describe several fish related databases which originate from within the hobby. These provide a "taste" of what is out there, and are not intended as a comprehensive review of the subject. ASCOT INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL FISH DATABANK Ascot International Tropical Fish Databank is a private registry of Tropical and Coldwater fish breeders. This registry is main- tained in an effort to track the various species of fish and to provide sources of contact for fish breeders and hobbyists enabling them to locate the species they desire. The expectation is that these species will be continually bred, increased exposure will be given to the dilemma of decreasing habitats, and greater interest in the declining species will be generated by encouraging their breeding before additional habitats are destroyed. If you are an active breeder of Tropical or Coldwater fish, the Ascot International Tropical Fish Databank would like to know what species you breed, preferably the scientific name, your name, address, and phone number. This information is placed in the active portion of the databank. Once in the databank it becomes accessible to all fish breeders and hobbyists who want to locate specific fish to breed, purchase, or who just want to contact fellow hobbyists. As requests are received for sources of various species of fish your name will be provided along with others who are breeding that particular species. The interested parties will then be able to contact you directly to acquire the species or information about he species that they require. There is potential for being able to contact aquarists that you normally would not have opportunity to reach. Ascot International Tropical Fish Databank is presently open to all enquiries as a no fee service. (Condensed from information provided by James Hensinger, Ascot International Tropical Fish Databank, P.O. Box 77, Marlton, N.J. 08053 U.S.A. Tel: (609) 596-2964, Fax: (609) 596-5588.) FEDERATION OF AMERICAN AQUARIUM SOCIETIES - BREEDER AWARD PROGRAM FAAS is an umbrella organization of approximately 100 aquarium clubs in Canada and the U.S.A. It was originally formed in 1973 to provide a unified front on behalf of the hobby against the proposed federal ban on importation and transshipping of tropical fish. FAAS still works to keep members abreast of changes in the legislative area but FAAS also sees itself as a service organization of and for aquarium societies. It provides a mechanism for communication between clubs; bringing together ideas, suggestions, and informa- tion to its member societies and other interested parties. It also provides assistance in starting up new clubs, and in the adminis- tration of existing clubs. FAAS has a Breeder Award Program which claims to be the largest in the world. The database contains records for more than 28,000 individual spawnings covering over 1,000 fish species. Almost every member club of FAAS has a Breeder Award Program (BAP). Members of the club are awarded points for each time they spawn fish. As points are accumulated, aquarists are awarded certificates or plaques for each level of points they receive. For example, an aquarist is given Novice Breeder status when 50 points are reached, Intermediate Breeder at 100 points, Master at 200 points, and so forth. Each club has a different scale of points for awards. Each club also has different points for the species of fish spawned. Guppies may be worth 5 points, discus worth 20 points. These points may vary from one part of the continent to the other because of differing water conditions which may make a fish easy to spawn in one part of the country and difficult to breed elsewhere. For this reason, FAAS only awards one point per spawn regardless of species. Member clubs send in to FAAS their local BAP records, which are then consolidated with other clubs to produce a national record of who is spawning what where. This is kept on a computer system by the BAP chairman, currently Nick Danko. The data are sorted by club, individual aquarist, and species. The BAP database could assist efforts in aquatic conservation. A by-species listing would be informative of how popular a species is and if it is in any danger of disappearing from domestication if few people are spawning it. A by-club listing will indicate somewhat indirectly which fish are easily kept in what areas. FAAS publishes occasional summaries of the BAP in its bulletin "FAAS Report'. (Condensed from information provided by Dale Speirs, FAAS, P.O. Box 6830, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E7 Canada and by Sally Van Camp, FAAS President, 923 Wadsworth St., Syracuse, NY 13208, U.S.A. The current F.A.A.S. Breeder Award Program chairperson is Nick Danko, 94 Carters Beach, Erie PA 16511 U.S.A.) FISHNET - "CAPTIVE MAINTENANCE DATABASE" FISHNET is a computer-based (CompuServe) information service for people interested in fish, aquaria, invertebrates and ponds. Members include public aquarium administrators, aquarium product manufacturers, fish farmers and breeders, retailers and wholesalers and, especially, general aquarium hobbyists. General information about FISHNET can be obtained from Gary Kopp at the address given below. Recently, a group of concerned FISHNET users have been designing a "Captive Maintenance Database" or CMDB for short. The development of the database is expected to take two years to mature and will be designed to support threatened species conservation efforts on a world wide scale, and provide a "networking" resource for breeders of commercially viable species that may be looking for new breeding stock, expertise, or new market opportunities. The intention is for a team environment to emerge comprised of a Team Leader and Club Liaisons within local, national and international organizations. The Club Liaison people will promote the CMDB project and act as the project representative at the local level. Having the Club Liaison will make the CMDB accessible to anyone interested and thus not restricting members to those with Compu- Serve or computer access. The CMDB Library is on CompuServe's Aquatic Data Center (GO AQUADATA). If a person has CompuServe access, they will be able to search within the CMDB Library by keywording the FAMILY, GENUS, or SPECIES of the fish they may be looking for. Without a computer, members will have to work through the Club Liaison person the get access to the information required. For more information, registra- tion forms or procedures for becoming a Club Liaison, contact the CMDB Team Leader, Rodney Harper at the address(es) below. (Condensed from information provided by Gary Kopp, FISHNET Publicist, 859 S. Ivy St., Arlington VA 22204 U.S.A. and Rodney Harper, FISHNET CMDB Team Leader, 10920 Padgett Switch Road, Irvington, Alabama 36544 U.S.A. Rodney Harper can also be reached at the following computer addresses: Internet: mobile@olt.compuserve.com Compuserve: >olt:mobile 75130,1321 FidoNet: 1:3625/465 VIVIPAROUS - THE LIVEBEARER INFORMATION SERVICE Viviparous has a membership of approximately 250, spread throughout the world, although the majority of members are in Europe and America. The organisation concerns itself with all kinds of freshwater livebearing fish both man-made and wild. The Species Maintenance Programme works in a threefold manner. Firstly, all members are asked for a species list of what they are maintaining in the long term. This survey is conducted every year and covers all species in the hobby. If a species seems to be declining in number a breeding programme is instigated to increase its numbers and encourage more people to work with it. Secondly, endangered species are placed in institutions, such as the London Zoo, for them to maintain provided the resources are available. Thirdly, and most importantly, members of Viviparous systematically search for those species thought to have become extinct or to be in danger of becoming extinct. Of the approximately 35 species of livebearer listed as Extinct, Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern, 20 are safely estab- lished in captivity with members of Viviparous. (Condensed from information provided by Derek Lambert, Viviparous, "Northside", Spridlington Road, Faldingworth, Market Rasen, Lincs. LN8 3SQ, ENGLAND.) Closing Remarks "Ideally", it would be useful to develop of a single systematic approach to captive breeding database management which adheres to scientific principles and allows access and input by dedicated amateurs and professionals alike. Perhaps those people associated with fish databases throughout the world might cooperate in a venture aimed at unification and rationalization, resulting in workload sharing and minimal duplication of effort. I did say "Ideally". There are the vested interests of individuals and groups to see their own programs duly recognized and their own aspirations built upon. There is merit in keeping it this way, as enthusiasm is often stronger when volunteer "contributions" are directly linked with the "contributor(s)". Furthermore, many of these initiatives are quite successful in meeting their own goals. The bottom line is conservation and preservation; how we get there is less important provided that scientific principles are clearly defined and followed by users and administrators of captive breeding databases. Nevertheless, efforts should be made to make best use of the limited resources pursuing aquatic conservation issues and proposals to coordinate and/or rationalize data management should be considered seriously. (Rob Huntley is a Director of the Aquatic Conservation Network and can be contacted at 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8. Tel: (613) 729-4670. Fax: (613) 729-5613.) 06/08/93 ag508 <9> KEEPING VICTORIAN CICHLIDS by Russ McAndrews As many of you already know, Lake Victoria, the world's second largest lake, has undergone and is undergoing an ecological collapse. This is an extremely complicated situation both biologi- cally and politically. Overfishing and the Nile perch (Lates niloticus), have decimated many of the lake's open-water species. Unfortunately for the millions of people of the lake's shore the perch is too large and oily for sun drying and refrigeration is nonexistent. Overall, Victorian cichlids are not very discriminating. A wide range of water conditions and food are acceptable. As with many other fishes the sex ratio seems to be pH dependent with most breeders experiencing a high ratio of males to females. The fry readily accept dried foods. A word of warning, as I have found out the hard way, all haplochromine fry will overfeed when fed baby brine shrimp - take care not to feed too much. My typical Victorian breeding tank is 30 gallons, contains a few rocks and plants and has one mature male and at least two females per tank. I find that a floating plant such as watersprite provides hiding places for brooding females and affords a better angle of observation. The trick to joining a Victorian preservation effort is in keeping track of all spawns as well as the origin of the brood stock. Spawns of wild stock shall not be mixed until identification of the wild animals has been verified. Tank-raised spawns can be mixed, but only within the same generation and even then only up to the level of minimum viable population. After this population threshold all spawns shall remain separate and be tracked individ- ually. This will enable the tracking of genealogy as well as calculation of genetic loss. Hybridization will inevitably happen, but with adherence to these basic tracking rules, they can be identified and removed. Hybrids are not completely useless, many will be helpful to carry out an experiment in genetic mapping. Dr. Les Kaufman of the Edgerton Research Laboratory at the New England Aquarium has ambitiously proposed a plan to do just that. Wild stock is extremely valuable for its genetic material, but obviously we would not sacrifice our brood stock until it is spent or dead. To this end, please label and freeze all "deadies". All samples, particularly wild specimens, can be forwarded to the nearest participating institution or the New England Aquarium. I keep a ledger and note the dates of all observed or suspected spawning. Seven to nine days post spawn, when the eggs have hatched, I net the brooding female and strip the buccal cavity into a small pail of clean tank water. The female is returned immediate- ly to the community to prevent alienation, the fry are counted and logged with note of their parents and generation. A small bucket with an airstone will be fine until they are free swimming. They should never be mixed with others until they are free swimming. (Russ McAndrews can be contacted at the Edgerton Research Labora- tory, New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, U.S.A. Tel: (617) 973-5275, Fax: (617) 723-6207.) End of Volume 1, Number 1 - Aquatic Survival