J
jmckdvm
Guest
This particular thread was started as a response to a post in a vendor forum. Because it relates to more of our community and our purpose (breeding of fish and corals to preserve our environment), I've split this portion of that thread and moved it so that all of the community could participate. --Phyllis
To simply answer your question, I will say "YES" I can get them, but I have a moral dilemma in doing so. I have been avoiding buying them, along with the other mutations (Misbars and Black Perculas). I know I will stir up some controversy, but this gives me an opportunity to voice my opinion on the production and sale of genetic-mutation fish. I believe it is our moral obligation, as aquarists, to frown upon, and discourage the in-breeding of genetic mutations by boycotting the purchase of them so as not to encourage breeders to continue the breeding and sale of them.
Let me compare this to the common parakeet, if I may. Australia hasn't exported parakeets in over 50 years. So, 50 years ago, we had healthy parakeets in the U.S. Then, man started to in-breed them: brother-to-sister, son-to-mother, etc. The result is genetic mutations: beautiful-colored birds that the public likes, but genetic disasters! Today, parakeets are much smaller than they once were, are born with weak immune systems, and have organs that "konk-out" in a short time. In fact, the average life-span of a parakeet is now only 3-6 years in the U.S.! (Out in the wild they live 15 years or more). They have the highest incidence of cancer of any animal on earth: one out of five develops tumors!
Back to fish: When I was a little boy (late 50's) my grandmother bred guppies. She had tanks all over her house with no filter or heater; just gravel, a lot of plants, and a penny in every tank. (Pennies in those days were made of real copper). The guppies were huge and robust. Fast forward to today: what do you see now in the stores? Skinny, scrawny guppies with beautiful tails. But I challenge anyone to keep them alive for more than a few months, let alone a few years. They, too, are "genetic disasters!"
We saltwater hobbiests have been lucky. Until recently, essentially all fish have come from the oceans so there hasn't been any inbreeding. But, in recent years, we know that certain types of fish can be bred in captivity. This is a wonderful thing....as long as its done in a responsible manner. That means avoiding in-breeding AND culling genetic mutations. But of course it is the genetic mutations that bring the big bucks...so probably, in a few decades, aquarists will be seeing the same thing happen to saltwater fish that has happened to guppies and other freshwater fish, as well as parakeets and other birds. What a shame.
I don't expect my viewpoint to change the choices everyone will make, but if I can get just a handful of people to change their viewpoint and agree with what I've written, then my time spent writing this has been well worthwhile. (I welcome others' opinions).
Dr. Jim
To simply answer your question, I will say "YES" I can get them, but I have a moral dilemma in doing so. I have been avoiding buying them, along with the other mutations (Misbars and Black Perculas). I know I will stir up some controversy, but this gives me an opportunity to voice my opinion on the production and sale of genetic-mutation fish. I believe it is our moral obligation, as aquarists, to frown upon, and discourage the in-breeding of genetic mutations by boycotting the purchase of them so as not to encourage breeders to continue the breeding and sale of them.
Let me compare this to the common parakeet, if I may. Australia hasn't exported parakeets in over 50 years. So, 50 years ago, we had healthy parakeets in the U.S. Then, man started to in-breed them: brother-to-sister, son-to-mother, etc. The result is genetic mutations: beautiful-colored birds that the public likes, but genetic disasters! Today, parakeets are much smaller than they once were, are born with weak immune systems, and have organs that "konk-out" in a short time. In fact, the average life-span of a parakeet is now only 3-6 years in the U.S.! (Out in the wild they live 15 years or more). They have the highest incidence of cancer of any animal on earth: one out of five develops tumors!
Back to fish: When I was a little boy (late 50's) my grandmother bred guppies. She had tanks all over her house with no filter or heater; just gravel, a lot of plants, and a penny in every tank. (Pennies in those days were made of real copper). The guppies were huge and robust. Fast forward to today: what do you see now in the stores? Skinny, scrawny guppies with beautiful tails. But I challenge anyone to keep them alive for more than a few months, let alone a few years. They, too, are "genetic disasters!"
We saltwater hobbiests have been lucky. Until recently, essentially all fish have come from the oceans so there hasn't been any inbreeding. But, in recent years, we know that certain types of fish can be bred in captivity. This is a wonderful thing....as long as its done in a responsible manner. That means avoiding in-breeding AND culling genetic mutations. But of course it is the genetic mutations that bring the big bucks...so probably, in a few decades, aquarists will be seeing the same thing happen to saltwater fish that has happened to guppies and other freshwater fish, as well as parakeets and other birds. What a shame.
I don't expect my viewpoint to change the choices everyone will make, but if I can get just a handful of people to change their viewpoint and agree with what I've written, then my time spent writing this has been well worthwhile. (I welcome others' opinions).
Dr. Jim
On the other hand bangaii cardinal fish are being driven to extinction by us as hobbyists. I think as conscientious reefers we need to start examining the long term viability of sustainable harvest of various organisms in our tanks.