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Re: It's all in the names

I don't like these common names for any fish, especially for killies. To me,
they are so much fluff, and do nothing to describe the fish, and may
actually be misleading. The name Marlboro red implies that the discus is as
red as the Marlboro box,(or as red as the Marlboro man's inflamed cancerous
lungs) and I'll bet that's not the case. Also, you are dealing with many
species and genera. The likelihood of crossover and mass confusion is more
than possible. Also, who would be in charge of inflicting these new names on
our poor killies? Compiling the master list? Getting the rest of the world
to accept our divine right to so name these fish?<BFG>        Sorry, I'm
getting a headache just thinking about it. As confusing and daunting as
scientific names can be to the uninitiated, it is an important step to take
if you want to become a well rounded hobbyist. I gag at the thought of
"Poofy Blue Panchax" or some other likely new name. Pardon me while I step
down from my pulpit.    Sincerely, Reverend Brad
-----Original Message-----
From: Loh Kwek Leong <timebomb at pacific_net.sg>
To: killietalk at aka_org <killietalk at aka_org>
Date: Saturday, February 13, 1999 2:22 AM
Subject: It's all in the names


>Hi, folks,
>
>Thank you all who replied to my "Why Killies are rare in Singapore"
>post.
>
>Well, actually my post was just a tongue-in-cheek one.  But beyond my
>expectations, I've learnt quite a bit about Killiefish already from the
>many replies.  Well, at least now I know that Killies don't just lay one
>egg only and  some people use the young as feeder fish (Good Heavens!!).
>
>But seriously, about Killiefish names, it's not so much that the names
>are unpronounceable to a non-native speaker of the English language but
>more that they are so difficult to remember.  Now, why can't they have
>more common names for Killiefish?
>
>I hope I'm not treading on holy ground here because I suspect a lot of
>folks take it as a matter of great pride in being able to reel off the
>names of their Killiefish.
>
>But you know, over here, every now and then, some breeder will come up
>with a new strain of Discus.  And everytime someone comes up with a new
>one, you bet he will give it a fancy common name.  For example:  Tiger
>Discus, Marlboro Red, Tomato Red, Ruby Red, Mercury Discus, Blue
>Diamonds, Golden Pigeon, Silver Ghost, Snakeskins and so on.  Wouldn't
>you say such names are much more easier to remember?
>
>In one of the posts that came from this Killielist, I came across this
>name "Fundulopanchax Gardneri".  Good grief, what on earth is that?
>Should I have something with a name like that in my tank?
>
>Loh K L