RE: In defence of the aquarium hobby

Bruce Hansen (bhansen at oznet02.ozemail.com.au)
Thu, 23 May 1996 00:29:00 +-1000

Walter I only raised the magic figure of 500 because the geneticists seem to think that is the number needed to ensure the survival of a species and (with tongue in cheek) I am awaiting the sudden and complete disappearance of the Japanese Weather Loach a

nd other introductions because of genetic unfitness.

I still think we should attempt to maintain our stocks of aquarium-bred Rainbowfishes even if they did only come from 3 or 4 fish. Perhaps they will be as successful as the Redfin Perch or the Weather Loach in survival at least but hopefully not as much a

pest.BTW has there been any real environmental problems documented due to the Loach yet (except the fact that it is there and it didn't use to be) as it was my recollection from the ACT Conference that they hadn't been shown to have done any damage yet

.