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Aulonacara firefish

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nene

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Here in italy two of the most respected importers sell this fish as aulonacara firefish...
Is this a pure fish?or a hybrid of some type? maybe the result of a selected line breeding?
if pure what's its origin?
Just curious, not going to purchase it
 
I

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#7 ·
I breed these and have 3 females right now. I can take some pics tonight. If you are wanting to breed them, know that the European breeders/importers tend to hold the females. They don't want others breeding them.

Since you are in Italy I'm sure you'll have an easier time tracking these down - but I paid more for my females then I did the males because they are that hard to find in the states. They have the same shape and are actually a pale orange/red color themselves. Kind of cool to have females that still have color.

Note: If you breed these fish - they do not breed true! No one is 100% sure what fish are mixed to produce these hybrids (it's a trade secret), but the offspring is usually 75% orange firefish and 25% poop brown firefish. The poop brown fish are not automatically female either, I am currently growing out some brown ones that are about 2.75-3.00 inches now - they are turning red and I want to see what they will look like as mature adults.

Yes it's a hybrid, but IMO it's one of the nicest peacocks you can buy right now!!! I never have an issue selling the fry either.
 
nene

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
So i'll wait for the pics....
My interest keeps rising....mmmmmmmm :eek: :eek: :eek:
whenever you discover something new about the brown offspring post the news!!!
 
I

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#9 ·
Most certainly will!! My digital's batteries died last night! I'm going grocery shopping tonight and will buy some fresh ones (boy I need to buy rechargeables). I'll take pics of the poop brown guys, the males, and the females.

I actually have 3 more females coming in next week. I have 3 different blood lines of males - one is really cool. He is yellow/red/and white! I haven't seen a yellowish version before, so I couldn't say no! Stay tuned - my pics should be up today/tomorrow.
 
Number6

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#13 ·
copasetic said:
Not to be confused with the dragons blood... Dragons bloods were recently made in asia hybridizing cichlids with a non cichlid.. Firefish/strawberry is at least a older line and u know what the fry will produce!
Click to expand...
Do you have any evidence of this claim?

Call me a cynic but this looks like a clever importer's marketing strategy getting passed along as "fact".

Either way, it's a moot point now as I know many hobbyist's who have mixed the two to produce what they called the Firefish...
 
N

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#15 ·
I am very dubious of the idea that there are fixed distinct lines at this point, and that these names mean much of anything. They have a formula of various fish which involve OB mbuna and maybe albinos(?) of some sort, maybe Haps, and then they may breed that hybrid into an Aulonocara like a Red Shoulder so it looks more like a Peacock sometimes... a lot of the fry is probably culled cause they look different.

I've been looking into Koi and they cross the various mutant genes over and over again to get so many bizarre cool Koi. Every Koi is different thou and most of the fry are "junk". The idea of a fixed line is kind of an illusion, it is still a random process of breeding selected parents and picking out a few dozen that they want out of hundreds of fry, and maybe a few unpredictable oddballs that look good.
 
Number6

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#16 ·
why_spyder said:
As with many of manmade fish, there is a lot of ideas and myths going around about how a each of the "species" is made.
Click to expand...
Oh you just said "species" to make me go mental now didn't you! :lol:

My pet peeve (and Why_spider knows this of course ;) ) is when these new man made mutt fish are passed off as other than what they really are... they are a designer man made fish.

When they get called a new "species" (when the only valid term is breed) or called aulonacara firefish like these importers did in this story... well, it really confuses people. They think this is some sort of new animal instead of just a neat looking mutt that some people might like to own...

Ok... rant over :lol:
 
tires_6792

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#18 ·
It doesnt matter to me if they are hybrid/line bred or whatever type of "breed" they are. As long as they look like the "breed" type, characteristics and can breed true id get them. I really like these guys and the pictures really dont show the true beauty. It's like everything thing else in life...personal taste etc. I like the red peacocks ... so thats what i get.

So far none of my fry look brown as claimed in this post. These were only 1-1/2" when i got them ... so i dont see them throwing any other colors .... het-hem...i hope. if they turn brown or whatever...i will update.
 
Number6

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#19 ·
Don't get me wrong... I totally agree there Tires.
tires_6792 said:
As long as they look like the "breed" type, characteristics and can breed true id get them.
Click to expand...
The only thing I'd add is that they should only be sold under common names and/or breed names that do not attempt to mimic a Latin name...
e.g. a Turkis Peacock should never ever be labeled Aulonacara sp. "Turkis"

The latter name is clearly intended to mislead and misrepresent...

True breeding and recognizable cichlid breeds are not a concern to me. I would own some as well... e.g the OB peacock or Dragon's fires bloods sunfire strawberry whatchamakallits :D
 
tires_6792

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#20 ·
i agree with what your saying about the Aulonocara being listed. Most people or at least those new to the hobby may not understand that these dont come from the lake naturally.

Another point is that some sellers take advantage of it by claiming F1 rubescens peacocks...etc.
 
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