<The minimum I would like to see is -
<1. Retention of Genus, species and locality(to the stream level if
<possible) when those are known with certainty e.g. Mel.trifasciata (Wonga
<Ck.) or Mel. splendida splendida (Kuranda)..
Would be good and should be tried, but as far as I know most aquarium
dealers it is a great advantage if they sell the bows at least under their
correct species name. That's much work.
<2. Genus, species and colour form or mutation e.g. Melanotaenia nigrans
<(albino) or Melanotaenia parkinsoni (yellow) if locality is unknown.
That may be easier according to the present use in other species.
<3. Genus, species of both parents for hybrids e.g. Glossolepis incisus X
<Melanotaenia boesmanii. Under no circumstances should crosses or hybrids
<be given the standing of species.
I'm afraid that's impossible. It would be better to give them other names, like
red rainbow or blue rainbow or Marci-Rainbow and everybody who is a little
bit more experienced will know what it means. The dealers won't follow you
if you want them to declare hybrids.
<4. Aquarium developed strains ( and they will continue to appear in a
<profusion of colours and shapes and sizes) will need to have a new form of
<naming developed. Once a particular strain has been "fixed" so that it is
<breeding true then it could be given a name such as Rainbowfish ( Aq.
<Axelrod ) to delineate that is an aquarium strain developed by Mr. or Mrs.
<(or whichever other PC title applies) Axelrod who of course is no relative
<of THAT Mr. Axelrod.
That's what I mean also for hybrids. Hammer's Rainbow or White Ornatus
may become common as names. The names must be as easy as possible for
the dealers (also in wholesale - and the breeders) to use them.
<5. Non-fixed strains of Rainbowfish of dubious parentage should be labelled
<as such e.g. Hybrid Rainbowfish (parentage and origin unknown).
That must be an expert dealer doing so! Just avoid to give latin names.
Harro
harro.hieronimus at t-online.de