What is your opinion?

[Pardal]

Lately I have seen a lot of fish which are label as wild cross, and I have not doubt they are but what puzzle me is their size , the majority of them tend to be between 4.5 to a 5.0 range . They don't grow that fast and we know than when they reach sexual maturity their grow will slow significantly . so my question is . Are not the wilds the ultimate in gene pool?
Is not the wild the best way to bring new blood to strengthen any strain?
Or are discus starting to evolve and getting adapted to our smaller closed system aquariums?
These questions have probably come out before not doubt , but what puzzles me is this time is with wild crosses or should we call it "wild crosses"?

Julian.

[brewmaster15]

Interesting question Julian. I have alot of doubts with some of the "wild crosses"being sold. I am sure there are some but knowing this hobby as we do I am sure theres some that look wild but are just domestics. There is really no sure way to tell short of genetics tests. Part of my skepticism is you never see the pair.. most of the time you don't see young fish..

Its why I do the cross myself. .. I know exactly what I get. Its also why I have been documenting it..

https://forum.simplydiscus.com/showt...in-a-Long-time

I do think its important to remember that crossing to wilds doesnt necessarily mean it will improve the traits we as hobbyists have arbitrarily chosen to focus on. Its took decades of selective breeding for some of the traits we value as a group to become norms.. crossing to wilds could easily undo that. I have seen this first hand in my crosses. But what you can get from these crosses are traits we unintentionally lost. Vigor.. reproductive drive..parenting .. immune response...longevity... and something else extremely important... genetic diversity and the chance for something novel

Or so goes my thinking and experiences.

Al

[Pardal]

Thank you Al, I can see both sides now meaning the benefits and the disadvantages .
Julian.