Hybrid fish and flowerhorns- Are they necessary?
@infinite_zoom (118)
India
January 24, 2009 1:13pm CST
Flowerhorns have been the rage in the aquarium industry for the past few years. But they are actually a hybrid fish. That means they have been created by humans,not by nature. People have crossed different species of fishes to produce such hybrids. Parrot cichlids are also hybrids.Creating hybrids is like making your own stamps for stamp collection.
Hybrids have many problems. They are mostly infertile. They dont have a real scientific name. So please refrain yourself from promoting such fishes.
2 people like this
3 responses
@Patrika952 (156)
• United States
24 Jan 09
I agree completely. I see absolutly no reason for hybrids at all. Its unnatural and there are so many beautiful fish out there all ready.
@infinite_zoom (118)
• India
24 Jan 09
your right patrika. I think there are over 300species of cichlids and i have actually seen only about 20 species. When there is so much more ,why even go for hybrids!
@oscarbartoni (2581)
• United States
25 Jan 09
I can understand having a mule because it is a beast of burden but in other animals that are not working animals, we do not need to hybridize them on purpose. The breeders of these hybrids are only trying to fatten their wallet without thinking about the welfare of the fish that they develop.I have heard of cases where they would cut off the tails of parrot cichlids and call them hear parrot cichlids. Other fish will be tattooed including parrot cichlids.
As has been mentioned there are enough cichlids out there to find one (or more ) that yo can enjoy without trying to create any more. Not only will you have these hybrids but if they do breed you need to find a home for the babies. Some people will just go into a pet shop and tell the owners/ managers of the shop that they have a rare cichlid and try to sell them as such whereas others will sell them as pure blood cichlids (of the type that they look like. We co not need more hybrids being bred by people that do not know that they are buying hybrids.
1 person likes this
@Anachronoa (22)
• Philippines
1 Sep 17
I agree that flowerhorn fishes are not created naturally but I disagree on the part that you discourage everyone in promoting them for the reason that hybridization of such fishes doesn't even violate any rules of man or even God. Everyone wants to see something new in this world, and these fishes are great example of it. There might be part of enclosing them in an aquarium which violates their freedom but they are still well treated and giving all the luxury of their lives just to retain their beauty.
