What is the status of Victorian cichlids now?

[Alden]

I've read articles and seen news reports from 2009 stating that Victorian cichlids could be erradicated by 2014.

Anyone know if this estimation is still true or have things been curbed?

[Mark Smith]

Hi Alden

Could you share with us where you read such information?

[Alden]

Here's something written from another forum.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/l ... plight.php


A video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8uexbmFD9I

However, I read a piece written from IUCN that doesn't seem to show that the situation is as bleek.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/initiatives/ ... patternsea

[Mark Smith]

Very typical of news reports to sensationalize and promote inaccurate information. The situation seems to be focused on the fishing industry as it pertains to large food fish, such as the Nile Perch and Tilapia. That, of course, would be serious, should it happen, for all the people who rely on such food fish.

However, to say that all the fish of Lake Victoria will be eradicated 3 years from now is a balled faced lie. Many Lake Victorian Haplochromis are thriving now and will continue to do so in various ways and means. Their numbers may even increase with the Nile Perch being greatly reduced in numbers.

[Alden]

Thanks Mark,

It's great to hear that this fish should still be around for future generations. It becomes concerning when you look on the IUCN redlist and the vast majority of the cichlids on that list seem to hail from Lake Victoria.

[Mark Smith]

True. However, IUCN's list is only an educated guess. I'm sure many are indeed gone forever, but there are also many undescribed, and some described species, that are hanging on and some are even increasing in numbers.

[Alden]

I see... So it really depends on the species. The impression I had, was that the lake was utterly doomed.

I've mostly done central/SA cichlids and I'm looking into doing Vics.

I'm considering starting off with some flamebacks. And I'd like to breed a CARES cichlid that is conservation dependent. Is there any brightly colored cichlid that you can suggest that might fit the bill?

[Mark Smith]

Pundamilia nyererei is perhaps the prettiest, most readily available Victorian presently.