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Cichlids are popular aquarium subjects for fish collectors and breeders, due to their robust temperament and, in some cases interesting territorial and breeding behaviour. From Malawi to Tanganyika and all the other great lakes, these characters are not as invulnerable as the may first appear. The following are just a few examples out of a great many.

P. menarambo was given a 'Highly Endangered' Placement on the Red List (Vulnerable VU)2004, but no longer exists in the wild. P. menarambo now only exists within conservation groups and the aquarium trade. P. maculates is also endangered. P. menarambo and P. maculates are both fairly drab as far as non-specialist collectors are concerned and so are not often seen for sale in the trade, though there are a few breeders. Both species are relatively difficult to breed in captivity, but both species will hybridize with each other, producing attractive, striped offspring that can breed with either of the parent species.

C. citrinellum is believed to be one of the stronger candidates for the parentage of the Parrot Cichlid (Cithlasoma (sp) 'Parrot'). Although the exact parentage is still currently unknown, possibilities include: Cithlasoma citrinellum + C. synspilum, C. erythraeum + C. severum, C. erythraeum + C. synspilum or C. erythraeum + C. fenestratum.

The parrot Cichlid, though considered by many to be an affront to the fish keeping community (due to its shorter lifespan and unusual shape), has become explosively popular in the fish keeping community since ~1986 (by Taiwanese fish farmers). C. citrinellum is featured on the CITES endangered list (appendix 1.) and has fallen out of favour in the fish keeping community over the last 15+ years. It has now become a ‘rare find’ in the aquarium trade, and so is both endangered in the wild and in captivity, while its (possible) hybrid is ever more popular. This is exceptionally poignant as the Parrot Cichlid can breed, even amongst its own, reducing the need for keeping the parent stock even further.

P. degini is now extinct in the wild and exists now mainly in private collections and fish keeping circles. P. degini breeds readily (with encouragement) in captivity with many species of Pundamilia, but in the wild did not breed with any Pundamilia species even though they shared the same environment. The offspring of which are capable of reproduction and are both colourful and smaller than either parent, making them much more desirable. However, after the 5^th generation characteristics of P. degini are gradually lost with each further generation, until it becomes something akin to a ‘mini’ Pundamilia (though this does not occur in all couplings).

Discus are one of the most expensive freshwater fish that fish keepers ever breed. The most prized of which are the latest colour forms and patterns that emerge through intense selective breeding and hybridization. To produce the healthiest stock, wild discus are generally used somewhere in the process, either as an F₁ parent or as a strengthening factor in later generations. Wild discus are also the second most popular discus type desired.

This presents a unique dilemma for the wild discus, as numbers are dwindling due to loss of habitat (backwater systems of the Amazon river in Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela) though none of these countries has discouraged the export of these fish. So not only is the Discus losing its habitat, but it is being captured, and used in the hybridization process for fish more popular that itself.

But Cichlids are not the only victims of a possible betrayal by both fish keepers and breeders.

ARE FISH BEING HYBRIDISED OUT OF EXISTENCE?

"Who hears fish when they cry"-Tleilaxu Proverb