How can this be a pair?

[Jeremy Blaze]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?ddid=8957&siteid=20

I guess just because there are 2 fish. But if they are both juvi. and neither is showing adult or male coloration, how can you call it a pair?

 

[Paul B]

I guess two of anything is a pair. It doesen't say, mated pair.
Paul

 

[Ironsheikh]

if I had to choose I think the one on top is a male --but most likely it just means 2 of the same species

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

They are both clearly juvis, and both would be non reproductive females.

Have a look at the cover of the Dec. 04 Reefkeeping, for a pic of what my male of this species looked like.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/past4.php

 

[jmaneyapanda]

pair infers only two animals, not necessarily male and female. Otherwise, it would say mated pair or breeding pair or proven pair.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

Yeah, but in the hobby at least, genreally when someone is selling a pair of xx fish, people see it as at least a male and female, or a breeding pair.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

Wow, looks like they removed it already.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I agree, it is borderline sketchy. But I still think people should be more careful of what THEY infer. If I bought a pair of cardinalfish, or clowns, or whatever, I would NOT consider them a breeding pair, unless it clearly stated so. Im not being paranoid or untrusting, but I am instead being careful not to infer. A pair is a pair- they may not even be compatible!

 

[jus10kase]

Borderline sketchy? A pair does infer male,female. If I got dealt a pair of 3`s and they were both diamonds, I`d say something funny is going on here!

 

[jmaneyapanda]

NO, a pair only infers two items. How about a pair of clams, are they male and female? How about a pair chromis, nmale and female? Absolutely not.

 

[Rendos]

I have on a pair of shoes today. I am not sure if one is male and the other female, but they get along great together.

 

[Rendos]

And why are they called a pair of pants...it is just one item.?!

The two fish represented may become a mated pair one day, and possibly a proven pair one day, but right now they ARE a PAIR of fish.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

well said

 

[IanInDC]

As an English scholar (who is often overmatched in scientific arguments on these boards), I would have to agree that the very word "pair" carries with it an implication of closeness, or appropriateness, that goes beyond just "two." From dictionary.com:

pair Audio pronunciation of "pair" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pâr)
n. pl. pair or pairs

1. Two corresponding persons or items, similar in form or function and matched or associated: a pair of shoes.
2. One object composed of two joined, similar parts that are dependent upon each other: a pair of pliers.
3.
1. Two persons who are married, engaged, or dating.
2. Two persons who have something in common and are considered together: a pair of hunters.
3. Two mated animals.
4. Two animals joined together in work.
4. Games. Two playing cards of the same denomination.
5. Two members of a deliberative body with opposing opinions on a given issue who agree to abstain from voting on the issue, thereby offsetting each other.
6. Chemistry. An electron pair.


As you can see, though it's not linguistically perfect, anyone selling a "pair" is clearly implying some kind of relationship. Specifically note 3-4.

 

[jus10kase]

Thank you