>We have a few species that have disappeared - mostly PNG Rainbows but =
>I'm not sure if they were lost due to "depression" of the genetic =
>fitness of the stock. It was more like there were not enough =
>concientious and capable breeders who were prepared to put the effort =
>into relatively unattractive species. I probably couldn't give an =
>exhaustive list but Chilatherinas such as crassispinosa, bulolo, =
>sentaniensis; Glossolepis multisquamatus is another fish I haven't seen =
>for quite a while. Also Melanotaenia monticola, perhaps oktediensis etc =
Unfortunately the same thing happens here.
>I agree we need to try to keep track of stocks - i. e. who has what and =
>how many and try to ensure that at least 4 or 5 populations are in =
>existence to draw from as well as some idea how each of them is =
>"performing"
The Rainbow Times will have the results of our last census on species
kept and the numbers of people keeping them. We only had about 40
people return the survey which will limit its usefulness, but at least
we have some idea were we stand on some of our fish. Hopefully this
will work into a more broad program of spreading these fish out to
greater numbers of people. I've worked out a starting point for the
program, but unfortunately I've had to change jobs and the new job has
been eating into my time. This has prevented me from finalizing the
program and getting a mailing out.
This program is part of the reason I'd like any answers on the
viability status of all the rainbows. If we're going to properly
maintain the fish in very few hands, we need all the info we can get
on how to keep them viable. If we have species that have repeatedly
died out due to inbreeding, we need to take greater care and outcross
them on a more regular basis. As well as get them into more breeders
hands to maintain a larger gene pool. If other species do just fine
when line bred for many generations, we can get by with fewer people
keeping them.
Cary Hostrawser
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