The Species Survival Program's original intent, for the most part, was to establish the protocols necessary to preserve mammals. This effort was led by zoos in the United States and abroad. With the intent to preserve such animals as tigers, lions, primates, and other large species, it is really no wonder that the protocols established do not always fit with the requirements to preserve cichlids. This doesn't mean it won't provide the foundation of a program to preserve fish from the same fate as the mammals of the world. There has been some change to the original methodology used to accomplish this goal, but the preservation of fish has not been brought far enough along to make it an easily understood or entered program for hobbyists. Honestly, there just isn't enough information or sufficient opportunities for the hobbyist to become involved. We are going to find ways to change just that. Why? Well, the zoos are probably never going to have enough tank space to save 100s of species of fish in the same manner that they may save 10s of mammals and sincere/professional hobbyists can help in that goal. The keeping of a single male and a single female per breeding selection is, in part, the foundation of the Species Survival Program. This helps maintain records and keep genetic lines identified and trackable. Similarly, if done in cichlid preservation, single males will as likely kill the mate if only one female is present in the aquarium. Additionally, this same practice in the wild is believed to have generated the diversity of related species in the lakes already. Many variations of cichlids owe their beginnings to new territory claimed by the lakes' expansion. As the water level continues to rise, two fish swim into a new habitat and develope their own small community of fish. Over time, if these two fish and their young are left in a secluded state, their off-spring develop into a new strain/color variant of fish. It would not be wise to recreate this process in the aquariums of the United States or the World. So, there are many challenges and concerns in developing a viable program to save the fish in as pure a way as possible. This obvious difficulty is probably the main reason hobbyists and the Species Survival Program have not gotten together. Therefore, we must find an effort that we CAN accomplish. Therefore we are going to focus on the correct description and naming of fish, providing data via this website about them so others are informed, and lastly, to provide some measure of financial assistance to the habitat conservation or cichlid research organizations from the sale of our fry. First, we must establish standards of not only breeding the fish but, record keeping, raising, distribution, and genetic diversity to show a dedication and professionalism needed for the scientific community. Furthermore, we have to understand the scientific community's concern, and overcome it with a professional, well documented, methodolgy to assuage them. That said, we will need the help of serious hobbyists and commercial endeavours. We hope to be a focal point for this effort. We have begun discussion with members of the SSP and are generating these pages to start that process. Many of the African cichlids included in the endangered species listings are from either Lake Victoria and its surrounding lakes, West African Regions, or Madagascar. What was once thought to be the definative end to cichlids in Lake Victoria, the Nile Perch, is now thought to have been a terrible introduction, but not the end all for all species in the Lake. The cichlids of Madagascar are seeing a much more severe problem with the loss of habitat. This may be the hardest thing for a species to adapt to, lack of habitat is not an adaptable situation. Please take the time to read about each of the lakes and areas in question on our Lake Victoria and Madagascar pages. So, now you have an overview of the problem and an idea that is forming in our heads. We are attempting to bring together cichlid hobbyists to help with the preservation of the most endangered species. We have had discussions with Paul Loiselle(New York Aquarium) and Chuck Rambo(ACA Conservation Chair) about doing something to help. We have also contacted some exporters/wholesalers of these same species and we are now going to try to get the fish to the hobbists to breed and hopefully they will prosper. The future of this program will depend upon the support of hobbyists and the success of breeding them. There will have to be restrictions for anyone interested in taking part in this program. If you are unwilling to dedicate the time, tank space, and ensure the purity of each species in question, you should not take part in any action to preserve the species. Otherwise, it would be a great project for you to put some time into.