Re: Rambling thoughts on SMP

[swaldron@slip.net (Steven J. Waldron)]

Interesting to see so many diverse opinions on this subject, like Robert
Plant, "I think I'll ramble on..."
 A few of you good folk have made the case for selective line breeding and
its innocuous effects in such pet shop staples as guppies, platies, etc.
Coming from someone who for better or worse has spent a good amount of time
employed in the wholesale fish racket- I can say unequivocally, the fancy,
highly selected aquarium strains suffer from the highest mortality rates of
all other freshwater ornamental fishes under wholesale conditions.  In
fact, the only fancy angelfish strains that can survive to breeding age are
those that have been produced by certain domestic breeders who infuse their
stock with wild blood. Want to make a living breeding and selling fish with
a wide open market?- breed diverse lineages of angelfish,

Another point to make on the subject of inbreeding- certain taxa have
adapted to a natural condition of severe population bottlenecks and
associated inbreeding. An example would be the poeciliads (e.g. guppies,
platies) which frequently colonize disturbed or seasonal habitats,
sometimes limiting the gene pool of the founding population to one gravid
female. These fish have adapted to this type of situation and with their
rapid maturation and fecund habits can rapidly overcome the immediate
effects of inbreeding depression. Apistogramma do not seem similiarly
adapted and therefore, warrant some attention to good genetics for
sustained, long term maintenance.

The issue of conservation: I do not think the purpose of this program is
for species preservation but rather for the continuance of an aquarium
population for a given species. However, if the advantages of enhanced
fertility, fecundity, color, form and general vigor weren't enough- a
diverse, well managed, documented gene pool has scientific value as well.
>From a biologist's view, Apistogramma are ideal candidates for scientific
study. Perhaps some researcher will someday turn to a study of Apistogramma
reproductive behavior to reveal some hidden insight into the evolutionary
process or perhaps a study of morphological variation and speciation. The
SMP's database would provide an ideal starting point.

I think anyone with an interest in breeding apistos should volunteer their
efforts to this program, even if for only one morph, population or species.
I have kept apistos for many years and have had innumerable interesting
species fall in and out of my hands. I would love to have some of the
descendents from my Taenicara spawns of 1986 or my Venezuelan hongsloi of
'89. Where are they now? Just because a species may be common today, that
does not guarantee it will be so in the future. Think of the SMP as a sort
of bank, a reserve where we might someday need to withdraw when
overcollection or the whims of the tropical fish market limit our supply.
Cheers
- - Steve