So true Andrew, I've done this myself. Not long ago all the fry I
raised had deformed fins. I corrected my water problems and know these
fish are still good for breeding. I've kept a few because I have no
other stock. I'm not too embarrassed having these fish around and
explain to folks visiting my fish room what happened. Still I'll be
glad when I get a new generation out of to replace these poor finned
fish.
But if you're not sure of the fishes history you need to be a little
more circumspect. It takes a fair amount of time and effort to confirm
its was just the raising conditions that produced poor stock without
this history. If I've no other choice I might do this, but if I can
get better stock I'd definitely would.
Cary Hostrawser
Minnesota Aquarium Society
http://www.mn-aquarium.org/
Rainbowfish Study Group of North America
http://home.earthlink.net/~sbuckel/index.html