Decision time.  By clicking the links above, you will be taken to pages that provide information supporting two very different explanations for the origin of the EBJD.  The 'Hybrid' page provides evidence to support the idea that these fish were first created by crossing two or more different cichlid species; the 'Colour morph' page provides evidence to support the theory that these fish resulted from a recessive mutation.

 

I recently co-wrote an article for submission to the journal of the American Cichlid Association (Buntbarsche), detailing the results of a nuclear DNA test that was funded by the members fo the EBJD Forum.  The aim of the test was to try and get to the bottom of whether or not the EBJD is a hybrid.  To cut a long story short, the test supported the hypothesis that the EBJD is not a hybrid, but it does not discount the possibility that the EBJD is a hybrid i.e. the test was not conclusive one way or the other. 

 

As a result of thinking about this test and the problems faced by those determined to prove that the EBJD is a colour morph of the Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata), I have come to realise that we are unlikely to ever know for sure whether or not the EBJD has hybrid origins.

 

Hopefully the information contained in the two sections outlined above, in addition to the wealth of information available on the EBJD Forum, will allow you to formulate your own opinion based on the facts and not on internet heresay.