Now this is a big controversy when it comes to PRL with Crown or flowerhead pattern, it is undoubtedly being discussed for many years and at length.
Is flowerhead considered PRL?
Yes and No.What kind of an answer is this?
Maybe if we trace back the direction at which the breeder started and also the notion of what constitute as PRL will help give appreciation to the subject at hand.
From a very technical and strict selective methodology a crown head or flowerhead is considered to be cull out from a very pure line of PRL. These “PRL flowerhead” are then place into another tank to survive on their own and when market demands for these pretty looking “PRL Flowerhead” the notion of PRL Flowerhead become popular.
So from the above statement, can we classify these as PRL or the more acceptable term CRS? In various countries, the naming convention becomes misinterpreted and here is an example:
“I purchase a pair of high grade PRL with Mosura pattern from Japan or Taiwan and in the first 3 generation of breeding it is all very pure grade without crown or flowerhead pattern indication. By the 4th Generation i happen to see 1 PRL with the potential to become a flowerhead and i took it out to its own tank. Subsequent generation yield with more flowerhead potential and eventually i have a batch of flowerhead potential. After several generations of selection i manage to get some nice flowerhead. These are generally classified as “PRL flowerhead” for the general breeder. For very strict breeders, the Flower head pattern will be considered Cull hence the pair of high grade PRL will still need to be refined by myself to ensure purity of the line.”
A very strict line of PRL will not throw out anything other than PRL and the flowerhead pattern will not see the light of the day. The breeder in order to maintain that strict line will have to cull it to ensure the line maintains its purity.
Now with a little background on where the branch stems out when a flowerhead is being developed, than how about CRS flowerhead?
Now it gets hairy because CRS flowerhead due to export demands mass breeding need to happen. In general the CRS flowerhead is mixed with a range of shrimp to increase the likelihood of getting a CRS flowerhead. This could possibly mean, golden bee, wine red, PRL where massive number of females are used to help with the supply glut.
When hobbyist purchase from various sources, mixing them together and than claiming it is PRL flowerhead would probably be why the controversial started. First they purchase from breeder A and than breeder B and C and mix all together and claim it’s from breeder A (if it commands a higher price using breeder A name). Now the genes are very diluted, and when the hobbyist purchase it from the seller and started his own mix, nobody really know what it is.
When will someone know if the “PRL” becomes a CRS? Sometime recessive gene only appears after 10-11 generation that is a good 5-6 years at least… so it is difficult to trace back and hence my recommendation is always choose a good breeder to start with hence you have someone to check back upon. Stick to a good reputable breeder.
Businesses are setup with the intention of making profits. As businesses continue to meet with difficult economic situation, a reputable breeder must continue to share upfront the truth of the line. If you have already selected your breeder to purchase from just enjoy keeping the shrimp! But it is up to us to uphold the virtue of the breeders line.
Hence, to uphold the strict breeder’s line, it is important for me at least not to mix different breeder shrimps as it is a hit and miss and also dilute the years of hardwork the breeder has done. i will also not purchase from a consolidator because of different quality of shrimp and lineage. Personally, it is crystal clear to me in terms of the naming convention and i hope this post will shed some light in this often challenged topic.
p.s. this post wasn’t intended to show the difference of Flowerhead, but that could be our next post. For now enjoy shrimping!
