Re: Comments on this post...

["Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium" <bolnathist@gn.apc.org>]

The question of beefheart as food for fish is guaranteed to get 
people's backs up.
So here's my views;
Used as a supplementary protein source and correctly prepared it 
can be of use, as long as the diet is well balanced otherwise.
We no longer use it here, instead using mainly crustaceans and 
insect larvae to provide extra protein. The institute we probably 
have the closest links with is Chester Zoo Aquarium. They use 
quite a lot of beefheart. Their fish attain large sizes, but with what I 
consider poor colour (don't tell them I said this!). Our fish attain 
what I consider natural sizes with good colour. I think it's better to 
allow the digestive system of a fish to work as naturally as possible.
I've seen huge fish raised on beefheart, but this is not a natural 
condition. If a fish reaches 3" maximum in nature, then that's how 
big I like it to get in captivity. A 5" specimen is not natural however 
impressive it looks. 
This does have more relevance when conservation is an issue, with 
hopeful re-introduction to the wild at some stage. Cichlids show 
genetic plasticity, and it doesn't take many generations to radically 
change the dentition when using an unnatural diet, which could 
hinder the chances of success when back in a natural environment.
I realise that in theory the process could be reversed, but why not 
try to retain as many of the natural characteristics from the start?
I know that I may be being a bit of a purist about this, but I like to 
try and follow the same protocols for all fish, and to give them all 
the same treatment.
To balance this, I know Helen Burns uses beefheart, and she's one 
of the best aquarists I know, so it must have merits.
Take your choice.
Pete Liptrot
Bolton Museum Aquarium
Le Mans Crescent, Bolton BL1 1SE
01204 332200


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