I think we should look at this question of Pappan and Weipa trifasciata
with an eye on the historical aspect of rainbowfish collecting in
Australia. A lot of the initial work collecting tris was done by
enthusiasts who happened to be working in remote areas at the time.
Weipa was a remote settlement and an ANGFA member (Keith Hand I think) was
working out of Weipa for the Comalco Mining Co. He introduced the Weipa
tri to the hobby. It is likely that many of the creeks around Weipa were
unmarked, unnamed (as they still are today) and it is possible that he
collected fish from Pappan, Running, Tentpole and maybe even other small
creeks without realising that they could be different colour varieties. It
is also possible that when he sent fish to Melbourne (or wherever) that the
new "owners" described them as Weipa tris because that is where Keith was
located. In those early days I don't think we realised that trifasciata
would turn out to be as variable as they are.
This probably doesn't assist much with identification but gives an insight
into why some confusion can exist. I think it would take an expert like
Neil Armstrong (who has the most incredible eye for detail and memory for
locations) to pick out true Pappans and Running Creek tris. Even he may
have problems because as we now know you can have variablility of colour
within the same tribe in a creek (look at the Wenlock tri). No easy
answers I'm afraid.
Regards,
Baz.
----
From: Roy Hunter <roy at angfa.org>
To: rainbowfish at pcug.org.au
Date: Saturday, 17 May 1997 7:25
Subject: Re: [RML] Differences
>All I know is that they were collected from an unmarked stream
>
>Roy Hunter
>Co-Chairman
>ANGFA of North America
>visit the ANGFA website at:
>http://www.angfa.org
>reach me at:
>roy at angfa.org
>
>----------
>> From: chris drew <drews at webgate.net>
>> To: bowlist <rainbowfish at pcug.org.au>
>> Subject: Re: [RML] Differences
>> Date: Friday, May 16, 1997 10:54 AM
>>
>> Roy wrote...>One comes from Pappin creek and the other comes from some
>where around
>> wepia. The wepia fish I have look like running creek tri's...<<
>>
>> On Adrians PAGE under trifasciatas there are 3 photos. One of a Goyder,
>one of a Running Crk and one of a pair of Weipas. I have Running Crks
that
>look like the fish in the photo on Adrian's page. I also have Pappan Crks
>that could look like the photo of the Weipas. I say could because the
fish
>are still young but already they look very diferent than my Running Crk
>tris.
>>
>> So based on what Roy has said I remain confused. His Weipas look like
>Running Crk tris and the Weipas pictured on Adrian's page look like
Pappan
>Crk tris. I'm pretty sure that the photo on Adrians page is the same one
>seen in the latest issue of FoS on pg.493. On that page they are called
>Pappan Crk tris. It is noted that Pappan Crk is near Weipa.
>>
>> My question is this: Is Weipa = Pappan Crk? And if so what are the fish
>we have over here that are called Weipa? Confused?
>>
>>
>>
>> Chris
>>
>> drews at webgate.net