[LeslieS]

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist Foreword, Introduction, and Chapter One Introduction
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[Domboski]

Quote: Originally Posted by ellebelle There are a lot of problems with the list - I've heard lots of primate conservationists argue about it. It's not great, but it's the best we have. Basically, they look at species and determine how endangered they are in the wild from ALL things - hunting, fishing, pet trade, deforestation, destruction of corals reefs, etc., etc. I've found that the list is less complete for marine life because there is SO MUCH of it. It's possible that the blue ribbon eel wasn't studied. Also, the point isn't whether they can be bred in captivity - the question is how detrimental is it going to be to the ecosystem to take these animals away, based on the numbers that are left in the wild. But, if you can buy tank bred, then it's moot from an ecological sense because you aren't buying a wild caught animal.

Thanks for clarifying Lissa!

[LeslieS]

Quote: what about the thousands of people out there who just want a "nemo" and an anemone?

At least a hundred of them are right here, and that's OK. We each need to start doing the right thing as individuals. Is it going to be comfortable asking the friends we buy from if they can find out how our livestock was caught? Probably not, but we have some great vendors here, and I am sure they are already doing the right thing. For peace of mind, I will still be asking going forward.

On another topic mentioned by Fenner:

"Have the discipline not to aquire specimens that are beyond your husbandry marine husbandry skills."

Has anyone made this mistake? I certainly did. I bought a red finger gorgonian that was marked as hardy by a very reputable vendor. It probably was hardy for a more advanced aquarist. I should have done more research to realize that is was for more advanced people. Now, I am working my butt off to keep it alive. Guilt definitely puts a buzz kill on tank enjoyment!