conserving the lake kurumoi rainbowfish: a guide

[eleNt]

I'm eager to contribute to the conservation of this critically endangered rainbowfish. To start, I'd like to know more about the efforts in place to save them from extinction. If Vebas has any in stock, I'm definitely interested in purchasing some to support the cause.

[graye]

Tough question, really. The odds aren't in our favor. If you're thinking of saving this rainbowfish from extinction on your own, I'd say it's a long shot. Maybe, just maybe, if you can rally a large group of dedicated people who are willing to commit to a multi-generational project. That's a tall order, though - we're talking hundreds of people, each with multiple tanks, keeping meticulous breeding records and swapping genetic material to avoid inbreeding. It's a monumental task that requires serious commitment and coordination.

The industry isn't equipped to handle this either. Sure, they can breed fish in large numbers, but the conditions required to make a profit would ultimately undermine the effort. Disease would spread quickly, and it's hard to see how that could be avoided.

When you consider the age of this species and our relatively short lifespans, it's a bit like trying to hold back a tide. We're just not built for this kind of long-term commitment. The only real hope is to support conservation efforts, like saving Lake Kurumoi. Without a natural habitat, any attempts to save this species are just delaying the inevitable. We can keep hobby populations going, but they'll always be fragile, living on borrowed time.

I've been breeding killies for over 30 years, and I've seen firsthand how hard it is to sustain a breeding program. I've distributed hundreds of fish, but none of the breeders I've worked with have been able to keep it going for more than a few years. And it's not just about keeping the fish alive - it's about maintaining genetic diversity, which is a whole different challenge. Rainbows require even more resources than killies, so I'm not optimistic about the prospects for this species.

[eleNt]

Tough question, really. The odds aren't in our favor. If you're thinking of saving this rainbowfish from extinction on your own, I'd say it's a long shot. Maybe, just maybe, if you can rally a large group of dedicated people who are willing to commit to a multi-generational project. That's a tall order, though - we're talking hundreds of people, each with multiple tanks, keeping meticulous breeding records and swapping genetic material to avoid inbreeding. It's a monumental task that requires serious commitment and coordination.

The industry isn't equipped to handle this either. Sure, they can breed fish in large numbers, but the conditions required to make a profit would ultimately undermine the effort. Disease would spread quickly, and it's hard to see how that could be avoided.

When you consider the age of this species and our relatively short lifespans, it's a bit like trying to hold back a tide. We're just not built for this kind of long-term commitment. The only real hope is to support conservation efforts, like saving Lake Kurumoi. Without a natural habitat, any attempts to save this species are just delaying the inevitable. We can keep hobby populations going, but they'll always be fragile, living on borrowed time.

I've been breeding killies for over 30 years, and I've seen firsthand how hard it is to sustain a breeding program. I've distributed hundreds of fish, but none of the breeders I've worked with have been able to keep it going for more than a few years. And it's not just about keeping the fish alive - it's about maintaining genetic diversity, which is a whole different challenge. Rainbows require even more resources than killies, so I'm not optimistic about the prospects for this species.

Maybe keeping them in a big enough tank and breeding the remaining captive population would work, but I'm not convinced. It's a start, though.

[coltin]

Consider reaching out to ANGFA - they might be able to provide eggs and collaborate on breeding efforts. Rainbowfish can produce large numbers of young quickly, so a group of 8-10 fish could lead to thousands of offspring per month. Gary Lange in the US might also be working with them, which could help preserve the species in captivity. Hopefully, there are enough diverse bloodlines globally to keep them thriving.

[graye]

You can certainly breed and maintain a small population for personal enjoyment, but I must emphasize it's a long-term commitment. I've found that three tanks are ideal for this setup - one for the main group, another for conditioning breeders or collecting eggs, and a third for raising the fry. As the fry grow, you can move them to the second tank for further development. I've successfully employed this method for several generations with my own bow collection, including the wanamensis, which is sadly possibly extinct in the wild.

[graye]

I'm not sure if ANGFA would be the best fit, considering their focus seems to be mainly on Australian species. They might not have the resources or expertise for Papua New Guinea species like the one you're interested in.

However, it's worth a shot to reach out to them and see if they can provide any guidance or assistance. They might be able to point you in the right direction or connect you with someone who's working on conservation efforts for this species.

If you do end up working with ANGFA, keep in mind that rainbowfish are relatively easy to breed, and with a group of 8-10 fish, you could potentially produce thousands of young every month. I've also heard that Gary Lange in America might be breeding them, so hopefully, there are enough bloodlines around the world to keep them alive in captivity.

[eleNt]

Tough question, really. The odds aren't in our favor. If you're thinking of saving this rainbowfish from extinction on your own, I'd say it's a long shot. Maybe, just maybe, if you can rally a large group of dedicated people who are willing to commit to a multi-generational project. That's a tall order, though - we're talking hundreds of people, each with multiple tanks, keeping meticulous breeding records and swapping genetic material to avoid inbreeding. It's a monumental task that requires serious commitment and coordination.

The industry isn't equipped to handle this either. Sure, they can breed fish in large numbers, but the conditions required to make a profit would ultimately undermine the effort. Disease would spread quickly, and it's hard to see how that could be avoided.

When you consider the age of this species and our relatively short lifespans, it's a bit like trying to hold back a tide. We're just not built for this kind of long-term commitment. The only real hope is to support conservation efforts, like saving Lake Kurumoi. Without a natural habitat, any attempts to save this species are just delaying the inevitable. We can keep hobby populations going, but they'll always be fragile, living on borrowed time.

I've been breeding killies for over 30 years, and I've seen firsthand how hard it is to sustain a breeding program. I've distributed hundreds of fish, but none of the breeders I've worked with have been able to keep it going for more than a few years. And it's not just about keeping the fish alive - it's about maintaining genetic diversity, which is a whole different challenge. Rainbows require even more resources than killies, so I'm not optimistic about the prospects for this species.

ANGFA's name isn't just a misnomer - they do indeed focus on New Guinea species, alongside their Australian counterparts.

[coltin]

Tough question, really. The odds aren't in our favor. If you're thinking of saving this rainbowfish from extinction on your own, I'd say it's a long shot. Maybe, just maybe, if you can rally a large group of dedicated people who are willing to commit to a multi-generational project. That's a tall order, though - we're talking hundreds of people, each with multiple tanks, keeping meticulous breeding records and swapping genetic material to avoid inbreeding. It's a monumental task that requires serious commitment and coordination.

The industry isn't equipped to handle this either. Sure, they can breed fish in large numbers, but the conditions required to make a profit would ultimately undermine the effort. Disease would spread quickly, and it's hard to see how that could be avoided.

When you consider the age of this species and our relatively short lifespans, it's a bit like trying to hold back a tide. We're just not built for this kind of long-term commitment. The only real hope is to support conservation efforts, like saving Lake Kurumoi. Without a natural habitat, any attempts to save this species are just delaying the inevitable. We can keep hobby populations going, but they'll always be fragile, living on borrowed time.

I've been breeding killies for over 30 years, and I've seen firsthand how hard it is to sustain a breeding program. I've distributed hundreds of fish, but none of the breeders I've worked with have been able to keep it going for more than a few years. And it's not just about keeping the fish alive - it's about maintaining genetic diversity, which is a whole different challenge. Rainbows require even more resources than killies, so I'm not optimistic about the prospects for this species.

Our biggest hurdle in Australia is sourcing New Guinea species - they're prohibited from entering the country. Those that do manage to make it here become the foundation of our local populations, which rapidly succumb to inbreeding.