I have been thinking about some discussions I have seen on this, and a few other boards about the current quality of available stock from fish stores big and small.

Luckily I have a local fish club that I am A member of and get most of my livebearer stock from, but for people that don't are sure in a hard way.

I have been working on some strains to bring back vigor and size and it all seems to be going well. My main concern is does it really matter to anyone but my friends in my local club. The main public are not in clubs and have no other way (besides aquabid) to acquire fish other than the LFS or big chains and this is where all the problems lie. These suppliers and farmers, from what I can see, have no concern about the quality of the fish they sell only the profits. So I hear people talking about bringing the former glory of these strains back up, but really it has no bearing on 95 percent of the retail market since I see no change for the better coming from these farms.

I suppose this was more of a rant than anything and I work on my strains for mainly me and a few friends. I just wish most new hobbyist could see what A good livebearer looks and acts like, not one you have to rescue from the brink of death on every new purchase.

Chris

Chris,

I used to specialize in Fancy Xiphophorus (Fancy Swordtails & Platies), going back to the 1980's.
Most of the fish that I 'WORKED' with originated from the local pet store and sometimes even the chain stores.

The key is "To obtain and maintain top quality stock, you must 'WORK' with them."

Maybe you can make your point more clear because I really didn't understand.

I'm not new or blind to the Fancy livebearer hobby.
Google Darrell E. Mefford or Platymef and you will find comments on my work or if you are a member of the ALA, check the back issues of 'Livebearers'

Darrell

Sorry Mef, I was a little tired when I posted that, and yes I am a member of the ALA and have read a few things from you before.

I was saying that It's a shame for the general public as to the quality of fish at most local and chain stores and that "we" as members and hobbyist can really do anything about it.

I do the same thing with local store fish, but not on the scale as you i'm sure, I breed them to get better quality, health, and color. For the general public or new aquarist they are just stuck with bad farm raised fish that are full of parasites. Just wondering how we can change that.

Chris

People get what they see. The good side to that: if they are introduced to higher quality fish, they will demand them. The bad side to that: if they only know of the mass chain livebearers, they will settle for that (or get out of the hobby).

I'm sure there are many creative ways, but I think this is a primary aim (or should be) of most fish clubs: to introduce the GOOD side of the hobby to the public. It isn't easy, but it isn't hopeless.

{That was optimistic me speaking. In truth I am rather a cynic, so I tend to side more on the hopeless tip. But then, my (new) membership in the ALA would betray me as more of a softie than I pose as. ;) }

I agree about the club thing and that is why I am a member of my local fish club here in KC. I always try to get my strains from members first if possible. If not then I check the local stores then online. It's just a shame so many good strains have gone so far downhill.

Chris,

I figured that was the point you were making.
Yes, it's a shame that better quality Fancy Livebearers can't be gotten from the pet stores as a whole.
A person made a good point on that subject when I brought it up several years ago. He said "The fish farms/ commercial breeders are in the business of Mass Production and their goal is to produce large quantities of fish and move them, they don't concentrate is quality and condition and we really can't expect specialist quality fish to come from them."

Also a lot of the commercial breeders raise the fish under "sterile conditions", medication and salt constantly in their water, high temperatures. When these fish are removed from these conditions, they are subjected to become sick.

When I was breeding, I never relied on the original adult fish which I purchased to generate and maintain stock of that strain. I would save fry as soon as possible because the offspring were always hardier than the originals.

There's probably nothing that can be done about the way the commercial breeders operate, but you can offer you fish and knowledge to new or needy hobbyist.

Darrell E. Mefford

Hi Everybody,I'm a new member from Australia and very enthusiastic about breeding swordtails. I'm interested in getting some quality fish but there seems to be nothing available in Australia. Does anyone have any contacts for Australia