List of MAC Certified Fishes

[John_Brandt]

Below is a partial list I have compiled of MAC Certified species that are entering the market. This is only a partial list that I have compiled, there are actually more species. I will update this list periodically. Not all of these species have ended up going to the MAC Certified Retailers. MAC Certified Exporters may sell MAC Certified animals to non-MAC Certified facilities. However, no non-MAC Certified facility may sell animals represented as MAC Certified. Note that this list is not an 'official' listing. The most abundant species are followed by an asterisk (*).


MAC Certified Barangay Batasan Island/Barangay Tangaran (Clarin) Species:

Bamboo shark egg case (Chiloscyllium sp.) *
Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus)
Banded pipefish (Doryramphus dactyliophorus) *
Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda, black & yellow form)
Dwarf lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra)
Panther grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) *
Yellow dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus)
Barred jack (Gnathanodon speciosus)
Clown sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides)
Tiera batfish (Platax tiera)
Orbic batfish (Platax orbicularis)
Vagabond butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus)
Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)
Panda butterflyfish (Chaetodon adiergastos)
Copperband butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) *
Singapore angelfish (Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus)
Tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) *
Pink skunk clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion)
Clark's clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii)
Maroon clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus) *
Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) *
Six-lined wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) *
Eight-lined wrasse (Pseudocheilinus octotaenia)
Green wrasse (Halichoeres chloropterus) *
Yellow wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) *
Banner wrasse (Hemigymnus melapterus) *
Cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) *
Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) *
Bursa triggerfish (Rhinecanthus verrucosus)



Photo: MAC Certified fishes just arriving from Batasan Island and are acclimated at a MAC Certified Exporter. Sorry about the poor photo, the water was sloshing around.

 

[kylen]

John,

Let me know who has them? I haven't seen that many MAC species yet. Right now in my warehouse I have about 20 fish that are certified. I need more.

 

[MaryHM]

Average quantities that are available weekly would be helpful information. For instance, if you ask an exporter for their master stocklist it will show everything they've ever had. Of course, they may only have 40% of it on any regular basis.

Seahorses? MAC is certifying seahorses knowing that they have serious population decline issues?

Kylen- how many species do your 20 MAC Certified fish comprise?

 

[John_Brandt]

The species with asterisks are common and abundant. Others are less abundant. I do not have figures (if such exist) on weekly availability.

Seahorses are a renewable resource. The area is prime habitat for most Syngnathids. There is a marine protected area (MPA) adjacent to the collecting area. Also in the vicinity is the site of Project Seahorse, which engages in ongoing research and development of seahorse management strategies. Read here: http://ww2.mcgill.ca/biology/labs/vincent/seahorse/conserv.htm Seahorses and pipefish (the ghost pipes are incredible!) are fairly common in this area.

 

[MaryHM]

Just a quick note- about 31% of those species I don't stock because of personal reasons. (Either they do poorly, get too big, etc...)

 

[John_Brandt]

A number of those species are regarded as unsuitable for captivity. As you know, this has not been addressed yet by MAC.

 

[MaryHM]

Oh yeah, I know. How well I know. But who cares if unsuitable species are being certified- just as long as something is, right?

 

[kylen]

Mary,

The twenty fish are spread through 5-6 species.

 

[dizzy]

John,
The copperbands in the photo look like they are close to belly-up. Is the current really that strong?

 

[John_Brandt]

Mitch,

Sorry, it's an optical illusion. The fish had just been placed into the acclimation tank (it's epoxied plywood) and there was a low level of water. The butterflyfish are slightly tilted temporarily because of this.

 

[Smyerscough]

A number of those species are regarded as unsuitable for captivity. As you know, this has not been addressed yet by MAC.

I don't get it, really I don't. In our store we don't sell many of the fish on the list because 99% of the time they will die in captivity.

How is that different from killing them with cyanide?

Why would an organization that is suppose to be trying save fish condone killing them ?

Wouldn't unsuitable fish be the basis for such an organization ??

Scott

Owner Imagine Ocean

 

[JennM]

How is that different from killing them with cyanide?
Scott

Owner Imagine Ocean

C'mon Scott, look at the "big picture" Not catching with cyanide saves the reefs, other fish, the divers, but not the fish.... it dies in the hobbyist's tank 4 weeks later, and hobbyist has to have another...... :roll: OR if it lives, it gets huge and the customer MUST buy a larger tank -- either way the retailer wins, right??? :twisted: I say we start carrying schools of tuna...... :lol:

There was a HUGE thread about USL (Unsuitable Species List) and a lot of constructive input - I didn't necessarily agree with all the suggestions but there was a lot of meaty info there, and many species that could have had a learned concencus agreeing they are "unsuitable" - do a search of this forum for "USL" and you'll probably find it.

Just one other constructive suggestion that got swept under the rug....

Jenn

 

[John_Brandt]

I just love the way MAC-detractors use phrases like "swept under the rug" when "put aside" is the accurate characterization.

Sometimes I wonder why I even post information here. You all are so quick to misunderstand and miscontrue. It's sad really. And the negativity in this forum is stifling.

Without going into complex detailed argument about unsuitable species, you should know that their unsuitability is not ecologically-based, it is hobbyist emotion based. Fewer coral-eating butterflyfish die in aquariums annually than humbug damsels. If it is sheer quantities of death that should put a species on the USL then be prepared for yellow tangs and clownfish to head the list.

MAC will address the issue of unsuitability in the future.

 

[Smyerscough]

I just love the way MAC-detractors use phrases like "swept under the rug" when "put aside" is the accurate characterization.

Sometimes I wonder why I even post information here. You all are so quick to misunderstand and miscontrue. It's sad really. And the negativity in this forum is stifling.

Without going into complex detailed argument about unsuitable species, you should know that their unsuitability is not ecologically-based, it is hobbyist emotion based. Fewer coral-eating butterflyfish die in aquariums annually than humbug damsels. If it is sheer quantities of death that should put a species on the USL then be prepared for yellow tangs and clownfish to head the list.

MAC will address the issue of unsuitability in the future.

John,
Honestly , no offence. I wasn't trying to slam MAC. I was asking an honest question. Wouldn't you agree that this issue is just as important as cyanide use ?

BTW I wasn't speaking about butterfly's I refering to the manderins, sharks, batfish and cleaner wrasses. (We try to steer people away from Damsels, meanest damn fish.. I can't stand them lol)

Don't you think it would be an easier task to create a list of unsuitable fish than trying to regulate cyanide use ? I mean all you have to do is publish a list. There is no third party that you have to rely on.


Repectfully

Scott

Owner Imagine Ocean

 

[Smyerscough]

you should know that their unsuitability is not ecologically-based, it is hobbyist emotion based

How can you suggest such a thing ?? The fish DIE !!!

John, I'm trying hard here to give MAC a chance (Where is Yoko when I need her :lol: ) But statements like this don't help your cause.

Scott

Owner Imagine Ocean

 

[jamesw]

Cool! Cyanide free six-line wrasses. I'm surprised no-one commented on that.

Of course there are USL fish like butterflies and batfish on there. They are collected by collectors all the time. No one has told the collectors "Don't collect these, no one will buy them!" The problem is that there is demand for them...sigh.

I don't think the USL has been "ignored" by MAC or swept under the rug. I think they will address the USL as one of the next orders of business.

Last time I looked, the CDT was the #1 PRIORITY that y'all wanted to see them pursue. You can only have 1 #1 priority at a time if I recall.

Cheers
James

 

[John_Brandt]

Scott,

Really, all fish die. No offense please, but your line of inquiry suggests that you haven't been following the ongoing 'global' discussion of the who-what-whys of the unsuitability list.

Cyanide collection is more harmful than just about anything, because it destroys the primary habitat that reef fishes live in. Dynamite is probably more harmful than cyanide because of the thoroughness of its destruction.

The importance of the issue of unsuitables isn't even in the same galaxy as the importance of cyanide usage.

Your opinion aside, my statements are not harming MAC's cause. They are clarifying it.

 

[mkirda]

Without going into complex detailed argument about unsuitable species...

To whom it may concern.

For what it is worth, I know John Brandt on a personal level.
Despite our differences in opinion, I still consider him a friend.
One of the many things we have discussed at length is the USL.
You should all know that John is personally in favor of implementing the USL. However strongly any of you feel on it, I can almost guarantee you that John feels equally strongly about this issue.
He hopes that it will be done by the end of the year, but this is not a binding time commitment on the part of MAC.

There are a lot of fish captured which are unsuitable for a variety of reasons.
MAC does intend to implement the USL, but they put it on the back burner because other issues were deemed more pressing, more urgent. For example, the CDT... Getting more areas certified. Increasing the fish supply. etc.

In other words, when you take a step back, this makes some sense.

Trust me- I want to see the USL implemented as well.
I also think that MAC has enough things needing tending to that this issue can be put on the back burner for a little while while other, more pressing, issues are tackeled and taken care of first. I see method in this madness.

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[Smyerscough]

Scott,

No offense please, but your line of inquiry suggests that you haven't been following the ongoing 'global' discussion of the who-what-whys of the unsuitability list.

Non taken and you are correct , I haven't been following the "global" discussion. But I still think it would be an easier task to make a stance regarding unsuitable fish. Obviously I am mistaken.

Scott

Owner Imagine Ocean

 

[jamesw]

Yes, the stance in question has already been made and as one of Mary's first tasks as former moderator she helped put together the list.

The list is still available and has not been ignored and we all agree that it is very important.

Cheers
James