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So if somebody is breeding mandarins, does that entitle them to more respect
than the platy breeder? I have to admit that the level of difficulty is considerably
different, but I believe the level of passion required for each endeavor is just
about equal. These considerations should be included in bowl shows, but I think
they rarely are.
Consider a bowl show where the category is something we'll call Bigfamilids. In
this show we might have entries that include some fairly common members and
a few not so common, but also includes the rare and elusive Bigfamilsomus
expensivus. I've seen time and again where the B. expensivus is not such an
outstanding specimen and certainly not as nice a representative of its species as
the B. commoncheapus in the tank next to it. Yet the B. expensivus is judged a
winner, even though there's no judging category for rarity or price. I contend that
this is not only unfair to the person who brought the B. commoncheapus, but
also perpetuates an artificial valuation system whereby hobbyists have difficulty
appreciating fish for what they are.
One of the worst cases of not being able to appreciate a fish on its own merits is
the painted or dyed fish that are routinely offered for sale. I'm referring to the
painted glassfish, mixed fruit tetras and bizarrely colored "blood" parrot cichlids.
How does painting a fish (with a paint that isn't going to last by the way) improve
the value of a fish? My feeling is that if you can't appreciate a glassfish as they
occur in nature, then why bother with one that has been painted? Why not just
stock your tank with plastic replica fish? The glassfish is a remarkable fish that
has a transparent body. This particular aspect should merit our appreciation on
its own.
Aside from the glassfish, how many other fish are prized for their unique shape,
habits and other non-color related traits? I know I tend to prize expensive
Synodontis spp. This has been born out of my love for the cheapest one of the
bunch, the upside-down cat (S. nigriventris). I tend to look at things like
S. angelicus, S. decorus, S. flavitaeniatus and S. brichardi etc. as being just
nicely colored and larger versions of the upside-down cat, even though they are
not as prone to the endearing trait of upside-down swimming as S. nigriventris.
The difference in price between S. nigriventris and S. granulosus is comparable
to the difference between those cardinals and emperor angels I was writing
about earlier. I've never had the money for a S. granulosus when I could find
one, so I've never had one, but I've had (and still do have) some relatively
expensive Synodontis cats, but I'm also never without my beloved
S. nigriventris.
I know that many hobbyists are the same way. They may have some rare and
expensive species that they are quite proud of, but they are equally proud of
those old favorites that may not be so expensive, but they are the ones that
really got their interest in the early days and they still have that intrinsic value.