Re: Blue Ram deaths, Suggestions?

["Sherry Bunch" <sherryb@hpcisp.com>]

I agree with your ideal that many posts can be confusing to a newbie. But
this is true whether the posts be anecdotal (sp), guess work, or the
gospel-scientifically-researched truth. I feel that the main reason behind
these newsgroups isn't to get the so-called gospel, but the opinions of
others who care enough to try. It is up to the one asking the questions to
then do their research on the answers they have received, but without first
getting these answers, a newbie often has no ideal where to begin. As the
term YMMV suggests, what works for one may not work for others.

In some instances, I'll have a general ideal on what a problem is, but if
I'm not certain, I'll post the symptoms only just to get other's opinions on
the problem without influencing their answers.

I'm not in total disagreement with your post. If a person isn't reasonably
sure of the answer that they're giving, they shouldn't post as though they
do. But if they want to explain that they are not certain, but that the
original poster may check into it, by all means, send on their experiences.
As long as the posts are intended to be helpful, and truthful according to
their knowledge, I see no problems with joining in to the thread.

I think your attempt to have a discussion on this subject is working! :)

Sherry


----- Original Message -----
From: Maladorno, Dionigi {DRUG~Nutley} <DIONIGI.MALADORNO@ROCHE.COM>
To: 'Apistogramma List' <apisto@majordomo.pobox.com>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 1999 2:54 PM
Subject: Blue Ram deaths, Suggestions?


> I am posting the following as an attempt to have a
> discussion on how to make the best use of a public forum like
> this list. It is not my intent to criticize anyone individually.
>
> I found the thread on the deaths of the Rams interesting and
> frustrating at the same time. On one side, it was nice to see
> interest in sharing information on fish health issues, on the other
> side it was very confusing and misleading to see a mix of
> anecdotal statements, fantasy diagnoses and second-hand
> snake oil claims.  As an example, Hexamita was proposed
> as a possible diagnosis (it causes progressive weight loss, no
> white spots or fast breathing as in the case reported), and
> products with sub-optimal activity on Ich and flukes recommended
> over and over. Good things were brought up too, like the importance
> of quarantine.  I am just wondering what all this well meant confusion
> means to somebody who is seeking information on this list.
> Since posting of information should be encouraged, I am not
> advocating with this message that "inexperienced" people do
> not voice their opinion, for the simple reason that the term I placed
> in quotation marks is arbitrary and misleading (everyone has always
> something to learn). However, it is also true that it is irresponsible
> to give recommendations without having first done some homework
> to verify what the information available on a certain issue is.
> Fish health is a topic on which there are references available,
> in particular in the form of good books with reasonable price and
> easy-to-read content. I think it would be advisable to first verify
> on a book what is a recommended treatment, before of posting
> product names and claims which are not always justified.
> Similarly, there is some responsibility also on the side of
> whoever experiences a certain problem, in terms of acquiring
> the basic references needed to understand a problem, rather
> then just asking around how to deal with it, and then be faced
> with conflicting and confusing opinions.
>
>
>
> Dionigi Maladorno
> dionigi.maladorno@roche.com
> This message presents personal opinions which are not necessarily those
> of my employer.
>
>
>
>
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