Regards,
Bruce Hansen
president at angfa.org.au
Please visit us at http://www.angfa.org.au
----- Original Message -----
From: "Adrian Tappin" <atappin at ecn.net.au>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 6:12 AM
Subject: Re: Mixed up Rainbows
>
> I don't know if they would be sterile or not but crosses between the
> different genus of rainbowfish have been reported here in Oz before, but I
> haven't seen any offered for sale. What ANGFA should do is buy a pair or
> two and see if they can produce viable fry. I'm sure the small amount of
> money spent would be worth the exercise and we would know for sure. It
would
> put a question mark above the genetic theory on the origin of species and
> the long believed theory that different species wont produce viable young?
>
> Many years ago we always thought that duboulayi and fluviatilis were
> different species and I remember Ray Leggett going through this exercise
to
> see if they would produce viable young. He did and they did and it was
> assumed then that they were one and the same species, which G. Allen later
> verified by classifying them as one species. However, as we know this was
> later turned over by others in the scientific community. We hobbyists had
> always thought they were different species long before the scientific
> community agreed.
>
> Recent surveys in the wet tropics in NQ have produced a whole array of
> different 'species' based on genetic work but all it has done really is
> create further confusion with fish from the same location producing
> different 'genetic' species while some show a combined genetic profile.
The
> Utchee Creek species is a prime example having been identified by some
> biologists as the same as eachamensis yet a unique species by others. I
> believe that it is being classified as a new species shortly?
>
> In Europe and the US many are offered for sale and I often get questions
> from people in these countries about identifying these species. Some are
> even offered as pure species and have their own 'scientific' name. Crosses
> are now freely available in retail stores across Europe and the US and I'm
> afraid there is nothing much we can do about it. I would guess that in the
> future there will be a proliferation of hybrid species entering the retail
> trade and will be just like swordtails and platys. I think a breeder so
> inclined would be able to breed a fantastic hybrid rainbowfish if they put
> their mind to it.
>
> I think we (ANGFA) should draw up some policy about hybrids highlighting
the
> pitfalls of such practice. Also we should try to promote proper breeding
> whenever possible. I don't think we can do much more?
>
> However, I think we should have a quiet word to Wayne Bugler about the
> situation anyway :-)
>