Well when it comes down to it.... what makes a fish a GENUINE species?
Surely somewhere along the line two fishes have hybradised (spelling?) to create a new species and just because it was not witnessed by man.... and they cintinued to breed and reproduce ... they are not a hybrid?
Is there any evidence in a fishes genetic makeup that can PROVE it is a hybrid?
Some of these fish look amazing and although i am not condoning cross breeding fish because I DONT!!! Im just throwing around the idea.. consider the mighty mas best friend.... people love the temperment of a labradore and their compasionate friendly nature a bloody good dog and can be well trained.... but people like the wool coating of the poodle as it doesnt malt and doesnt affect people with respritory problems.
I spose you can consider crossing cichlids to be the same?
Although the Jaguar cichlid is a mighty fish and is in its own right an amazing fish.... it isnt the best fish to look at as far as colours go.... cross it with a texas... wham bam problem solved!
So it leeds me to the point of why is crossing fish so frowned apon?
I spose i think it is frowned apon because people who dont know what they are doing will flood the market with a WRONG identification.... and then the wrong identification is continued on the fresh is cros sbred again.. and again and so on and and so forth until we are selling texas cichlids with arms and legs. But what if reputable people doing this... Professional Cichlid Breeders.... crossing fish and SELLING THEM as a TEXAS x JAGUAR ... and the fish was raised as a TEXES x JAGUAR and bred with another blood line of TEXAS x JAGUAR...... Until they became commen enough to be Called a TEXAGUAR or something like that.. quite like the Labradoodle......
Just for food for thought...
as im sure this has crossed ALOT of cichlid keepers minds before
What makes a species a "genuine" species, is if it occurs in the wild. Crossing species just seems like a waste of time to me, especially when they already occur in so many different shapes, sizes, colours IN THE WILD. There's no need to create any more species, there's plenty.
And what happens when we've destroyed their homes? All these fish we keep and breed for ourselves, if they're genuine species, could provide the savior of a dieing genus. Now THAT'S food for thought.
Cheers, Sammi.