Most of us agree that habitat conservation is the way to go for the best
chances of success. However there still seems to be a few long-term
thinkers ( like Peter) who feel that captive breeding for conservation
purposes has some place. Personally I am not at all confident that even if
the only living examples of a species are "safe " in aquarists hands that
re-release into the habitat will be approved.
BTW when I was in Melbourne recently I saw some very nice Dalhousie catfish
at Glenn Brigg's place. I understand that they have been bred under
aquarium conditions (egg scatterers in plants) so at least the mechanics
are within the reach of the average aquarist. Of the other species
mentioned by Peter I feel all are in the same category.
If the government can breed and release Trout Cod (and Trout for that
matter) then surely similar programs for smaller species could work.
Bruce Hansen
ANGFA
email: bhansen at ozemail.com.au
Don't miss the ANGFA web pages at -
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~fisher/angfa.htm
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> From: peter.unmack at ASU.Edu
> To: rainbowfish at pcug.org.au
> Subject: RE: Re: Genetic diversity
> species which probably should be given some priority are not because they
> are not rainbows and few people will keep them or at least have success
> with them. For instance, redfinned blue eyes, Elizabeth Springs and
> Edgbaston gobies, Glover's, Myross and Dalhousie hardyheads, Dalhousie
> catfish and a couple different Mogurndas. I also think there could be
> more habitat orientated work done too such as reestablishing M.
> maccullochi populations around Cairns, Mogurnda adspersa and
> Ambassis agassizi populations in the Murray-Darling system.