I would really like to hear Gary Lange's opinion as well. And why political
factors need to get in the way of a good working species maintenance
program.
Oh, we did beat this dead horse before, didn't we, and nothing came out if
it then.
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: caryho at ix.netcom.com
> To: rainbowfish at pcug.org.au
> Subject: [RML] species maintenance
> Date: Sunday, September 14, 1997 7:09 AM
>
>
> I've been watching opinions on this thread about syndicates, species
> maintenance and wish lists. I've seen a number of good points and a
> few unworkable points. I think the only way to make a buying syndicate
> work is if individuals work together to do it themselves. I agree if
> the clubs get involved in deciding who gets the fish you're just going
> to have hard feelings. And even if its a group of individuals the same
> thing could happen. Say 5 people get together and buy six fish of a
> species. Member #1 of this group gets the fish but fails to produce
> any more than to keep his population going or worse yet looses the
> whole group. How are the other members going to feel? Not that it
> couldn't work, but I think anybody going into such a syndicate be
> aware that such an event can happen and probably will at some point.
>
> On the point of the club selling raffle tickets to decide who gets the
> fish. What good does it do if the fish gets into the hands of somebody
> that doesn't breed or has no luck at it? Many members of our clubs
> have no interest or experience with breeding. This really does nothing
> more than selling the fish to the highest bidder. It may or may not
> get to the general membership.
>
> The main problem that seems to be occurring is fish coming in and
> ending up in the hands of only a few people. If these people don't
> breed and sell eggs or fry the species will be lost to the hobby. So
> IMHO we get back to getting a Species Maintenance program going. We
> need people to take ownership of the species they have.
> By ownership I don't mean just keeping the fish in a tank. I mean
> caring about the long term good of the species. Part of this means
> spreading the fish to as many people as you can. Sell eggs, sell fry
> or trade. Damn just give some eggs away to other people. Who makes a
> profit in this hobby anyhow? If I'm lucky I may have one month a year
> where I don't spend more than I take in with my fish. I bet most folks
> are in the same boat. This ain't about money folks its about a love
> for the fish. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with making a
> few dollars to cover expenses, but is making money why we keep fish?
>
> Hopefully as the Species Maintenance program grows we'll have more
> people willing to make fish and eggs available. Too few people do this
> at present and that's why fish disappear, nobody can get them. We
> can't expect the half a dozen people listing fish and eggs in America
> to supply the whole country. For all you folks that only have one or
> two species you can get to spawn, list that one or two fish. You don't
> need a list of a dozen species to be accepted in any publication. If
> you really like a species and plan on keeping them over the long term
> get in touch with me a join the program. You are a resource this hobby
> needs, and thats a person with the species. It doesn't matter if you
> feel you're just a newbie and learning, we're all still learning.
> Don't feel intimidated by big fish rooms and large species counts,
> there is still more unknown about these fish than know. Just look at
> some of the problems that never have a conclusion in this mail list.
>
> well off my soap box for now
> Cary Hostrawser
>
> My Rainbowfish Home Page
> http://pw2.netcom.com/~caryho/home.html
>
> Rainbowfish Study Group Web Page
> http://home.stlnet.com/~gwlange/rainbowfish.index.html