Pachypanchax (was Re: killies in west africa?)

[Wright Huntley <jwwiii at pacbell_net>]

Adam Rychlik wrote:
> Is there any killies in Madagascar or the Comoro Islands???
>

Yes. I'm pleased you asked.

All the Pachypanchax species of Madagascar are under special consideration 
as potentially or actually endangered by the Endangered Species Program of 
the AKA. Their habitat is rapidly being destroyed. They are the ancestral 
place from which *all* killifish have evolved, according to Prof. Huber.

The one Pantanodon species is currently reported to be extinct and habitat 
gone, but might still be in some isolated areas that have not been 
adequately sampled. The Madagascar Pachypanchax species are being 
maintained under Killifish Conservation Committee protection, with Donna 
Recktenwalt as overall Coordinator for the genus.

I'm coordinating the Special Madagascar/Seychelles Initiative of the ESP. 
We are establishing distribution channels for bringing new species under 
KCC protection and propagation. There are some new species from Madagascar 
available soon, and more to follow.

They are big beautiful, peaceful and relatively easy fish that deserve a 
lot more attention than we have typically given them. Soon, those in our 
tanks may be all there are, as they have a real problem back home. Lemurs 
and other furry animals are getting protection, but small fish have no 
role in an evolving economy. Growing something for people to eat takes 
priority.

If you wish to maintain a species, please register with Donna Recktenwalt, 
<dmrecktenwalt at prodigy_net> so we have a list of qualified breeders ready 
when we get new fish into the hobby. Meanwhile, if you get a chance to 
obtain a pair, grab, for some are pretty rare in the hobby, right now.

*Pachypanchax playfairii* of the Seychelles (and as exotics in Zanzibar) 
are not in danger and are fairly common (as well as relatively plain).

We have the more spectacular *omalonotus* and *sakaramyi* in maintenance 
programs, so they will be available to hobbyists as populations permit. 
Generally that should be a continuous and on-going availability as happens 
with KCC fish that succeed.

You don't need to be an ultimate-difficult-fish-breeder to keep them so 
don't be shy about volunteering. As I said, they are relatively easy with 
big, fast-growing babies that are easy to feed. They are perfect "natural 
tank" propagators, as a matter of fact. They seem to do best if given a 
colder winter period, exploding in color and with eggs when the heater is 
turned up in March, according to Paul Loiselle, our senior consultant.

I'd like to form an international study group, similar to the SAA list, to 
provide contact and information exchange on propagating Madagascar 
killifish around the world. Those interested in joining it should contact 
me off list <jwwiii at pacbell_net>.

Wright

-- 
Wright Huntley -- 209 521-0557 -- 731 Loletta Ave, Modesto CA 95351

       "The problem with the French is that they don't
              have a word for entrepreneur."
      -- George W. Bush, discussing the decline of the
    French economy with British Prime Minister Tony Blair

                  http://www.sfbaka.net/


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