Bjorn
Mach Fukada wrote:
>
> I guess we are looking at the bell curve again in terms of color, behavior,
> etc. I suppose on the side of most of us that have only seen them in a
> tank several generations removed from the wild, it is difficult to select
> for the ideal norm fish from the wild. I wonder if there is a way to
> write "spects" for the "ideal" fish in terms of body proportions, color,
> etc. I have been told that the melanotonaids change in the artificial
> environment, even if they started as wild caught fish, they seem to change
> in terms of body proportions (adbdomen compressed, etc). Is this more an
> environmental (nature vs nurture) response that is not genetic (i.e. fancy
> guppies or swordtails raised in large ponds never really acquire the wide
> delta tails found in the same strains raised in small tanks.
> >
> >No, we can't achieve what natural selection does in our tanks. But we
> >can cull for fish outside the norm of the wild natives. This means
> >don't breed the ones that are over colored or under colored, based on
> >the wild type. I don't think its really the male with the brighest
> >colors that gets most of the females, but the males with the correct
> >cues. And overly colored males would be just as unlucky in the wild as
> >an under colored male. Also cull out for abnormal fins, scales, body
> >shape, etc. Basically cull out any trait that isn't typically found on
> >the wild fish. I do know that most breeders are culling for super
> >color and fins, but this can do as much damage as no culling. In my
> >eye the natural forms are the best forms. Super enhanced just holds
> >little appeal for me.
> >
> >Cary Hostrawser
> >
> >My Rainbowfish Home Page
> >http://pw2.netcom.com/~caryho/home.html
> >
> >Rainbowfish Study Group Web Page
> >http://home.stlnet.com/~gwlange/rainbowfish.index.html
>
> Mach Fukada, Computer Specialist
> Information Technology and Communications
>
> Tokai University at Honolulu
>
> "You need it, I'll make it. You break it, I'll fix it.
> And I will love every minute of it"
>
> Voice: 808-983-4160
> Fax: 808-983-4135