Skiffia francesae - found again????

Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548

If anyone can speak Dutch, then this may be of interest. I can't.

http://www.poecilia.nl/Artikelen/art_71.html

Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548

I have done some further research on this subject.

I have found some more information on the AFV forum at http://forum-francevivipare.bbfr.net/goodeidae-f1/decouverte-de-populations-reliques-d-ameca-splendens-et-skiffia-cf-francesae-t2057.htm

This translates as follows: -

Read in the Poecilia Nieuws of this month: Researchers of the University of Morelia discovered last year populations of 2 types of Goodeid, Ameca splendens and Skiffia (cf?) francesae. Even then, Skiffia francesae was renowned disappeared in natural environment while Ameca splendens no longer existed than to the sources of the Rio Teuchitlan. Morelia does not unveil the exact locality of the discovery, fearing that these precious and fragile populations are not decimated by desirous travelers to maintain them in captivity. Kees of Jong, item author, takes the precaution of the "cf" for the Skiffia again must be examined scientifically; it some nevertheless obtained from Morelia, and asserts that there is not any visual difference between these fish and the Skiffia francesae that we know, except a more excessive coloring of the males (the stump is of course very close of the wild copies). At last a new good one!

Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548

Further update.

I picked up a trio of these fish today. The females are both quite gravid and I have placed all three in separate aquaria in the hope I will be able to maximise the broods.

I will get photos as soon as I can.

Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548

Further update.

The first female had eleven fry today; six live; five dead.

Is there anybody still here by the way?

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:39 pm

Congrats on the fry. I hope it goes well for you and we can see some expansion of numbers in these very rare fish.

I am still coming around Duncan but seldom see a new post. I have seen complaints elsewhere that the new member attempts have not been getting much attention from the Admin though.

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:09 pm

I check here everyday. The lights are still on but I don't think anyone is home.

Oldman: Do you mean Xenoophorus captivus?

Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548

Glad to see that some of us are still here.

This used to be such a good forum, it is such a shame.

I had heard that new members could not get approval to join the site too. Just goes to show how much a forum relies upon the volunteers who run and administer it. I guess we should remember that when we moan about spam and the like.

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:49 am

I am sure of your reference LBC but yes I do have Xenoophorus captivus. I picked them up at the ALA convention auction this spring and had a fry drop shortly after I got them home. Right now the female looks like she might drop fry any day so I am watching the tank for them. I just don't see where I referred to them anywhere else in this thread.

Yesterday I noticed that the juvenile insurance pair of Xenotoca eiseni that I held back when the rest went into my summer tub have about 8 or 9 fry in with them. I didn't think that particular female was big enough for fry yet but you live and learn I guess. Maybe they got lonely without all their brothers and sisters around for the summer and decide to provide some company for themselves.

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 8:54 am

Oldman wrote:

I am sure of your reference LBC but yes I do have Xenoophorus captivus.

I was referring to your signature block that states that "Xoogeneticus captivus" are breeding for you. I was assuming that "Xoogeneticus" was supposed to be Xenoophorus.

Although I agree that it would be nice if someone checked and approved the new requests for login registrations from time to time, I have to say that I think the situation here is better now than it has been in the past. Remember what it was like when login registrations were processed automatically without any approval? Remember all the spam bots that were bombarding this site? You couldn't find the new messages because you had to wade through literally thousands of spam messages.

Yes, Duncan. I agree that it is a huge shame that this site is not the place that it once was. I do not pretend to understand the hows and whys. I refuse to invest a lot of energy in trying to change things. I am just grateful for the few benefits that remain.

I hope everyone reading this has a great week!!!!

Best regards,

Joel

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:52 am

Thanks.
I made that list when I first got back from the ALA auction and hadn't paid it any attention since.

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:15 am

"Glad to see that some of us are still here.

This used to be such a good forum, it is such a shame".

Yes, you are right Duncan. I visit the site weekly and it was sad to see how all the spam mails spoiled the activity. But now the spam is smallest problem, the hurdle now is to get the activity back. I have seen several fora die out because of missing activity, maybe aquarists aren't that good at keeping things alive Crying or Very sad

I tried to kickstart some activity about goodeids in a group on Facebook, but even there it's nearly dead. I myself, am not good at writing in english, but that no excuse. The forum is only as alive as the people who write in it, we all have to participate.

~Michael, Denmark

Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548

Phew, glad that is sorted Very Happy

I think that post confused two thirds of the Goodeid forum Very Happy

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:41 am

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:56 am

fimbulvinter wrote:

I have seen several fora die out because of missing activity, maybe aquarists aren't that good at keeping things alive Crying or Very sad

... I myself, am not good at writing in english, but that no excuse.
~Michael, Denmark

I have to disagree Michael. I think your posts in English are very expressive and communicate your thoughts nicely.

I don't have any suggestions on how to keep forums alive. Maintenance programs are even worse. They are usually stillborn!

Moderator Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 548

Here is a (poor) photo of my Skiffia cf. francesae male.

<a> Skiffia francesa male

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