Re: BAP 'N Dump -Reply

[Doug Brown <debrown@kodak.com>]

>>>What is the number one reason for any of you for keeping the fish you
>do?<<

A fine question. I keep fish as pets because I enjoy their company, and
like having aquariums around. All of my tanks are planted "display" tanks.
I like cichlids because of their advanced behavior including interaction
with their environment (and me). I like dwarf cichlids because I can keep
more in less space and they look good to me. I keep tetras because they are
great companion fish for dwarf cichlids for many reasons. I don't know why
I keep corys, other than they are SA fish also, and are just fun for me to
watch.

I am looking forward to breeding apistos and continuing to breed kribs for
fun and education. I have no pretentions of "species preservation" and in
fact find the idea ridiculous. Maybe I should pick another word to avoid
offending people, but that's how I feel. What is the point of preserving
our little slice of time? Is it any better than a different little slice of
time? Millions of species have come and gone, probably somewhat less will
come and go. Man's expansion is inevitable. There will be less room for
animals and plants. I am all for captive breeding if the purpose is to
reestablish a wild population that has a chance for survival, but what do
you hope to achieve by preserving rare apisto species for example? As their
natural habitat gets wiped out they likely will only be able to exist in
aquarists' "zoos". To me this is like attempting to preserve American
Indian cultures with reservations. Pathetic and doomed to failure.

Just one cynic's little opinion,

- -Doug Brown
debrown@kodak.com