REEF FISH GUIDE

[dizzy]

Mike below is yet another quote I find interesting. The subject of introduced species was lectured on and debated at MO '04. More specifically the subject was on voliton lions and how they have been discovered breeding at several locations off the East Coast. The point is no one knew for sure exactly how they got there. Some did suggest release by aquarium owners. Some mentioned ballast water release as a possible cause. Apparently someone has confessed or some new evidence has been discovered that proves beyond all doubt that the aquarium industry was to blame. The quote below was also lifted from Eric's article in ReefKeeping Magazine.

" In more recent years, the serious findings of non-native releases by the aquarium trade into Florida and Caribbean waters have resulted in at least one species forming breeding populations" (Semmens, et al., 2004).

 

[StevenPro]

Mike below is yet another quote I find interesting. The subject of introduced species was lectured on and debated at MO '04. More specifically the subject was on voliton lions and how they have been discovered breeding at several locations off the East Coast. The point is no one knew for sure exactly how they got there. Some did suggest release by aquarium owners. Some mentioned ballast water release as a possible cause. Apparently someone has confessed or some new evidence has been discovered that proves beyond all doubt that the aquarium industry was to blame. The quote below was also lifted from Eric's article in ReefKeeping Magazine.

" In more recent years, the serious findings of non-native releases by the aquarium trade into Florida and Caribbean waters have resulted in at least one species forming breeding populations" (Semmens, et al., 2004).

Here is the reference that Eric cites for that statement,
http://www.reef.org/data/meps_exotic.pdf

I have not had a chance to read it, or all of Eric's article for that matter, yet.

 

[dizzy]

Here is the reference that Eric cites for that statement,
http://www.reef.org/data/meps_exotic.pdf

I have not had a chance to read it, or all of Eric's article for that matter, yet.

Steven I did read it and found no smoking gun evidence that the marine aquarium industry is positively responsible for the introduction of P. volitan. If Eric would have clarified his comments by saying something like. "The marine aquarium industry is the most likely source of this introduction" I would have accepted it, as I agree it is the most likely source. However I believe it was Elwyn Segrest that argued at MO that it takes a large number of released individuals to obtain successful established populations. Much of this information comes from intentional government releases I believe. Until someone establishes a very good reason why someone would intentionally do such a thing with P. volitan, we should keep an open mind.
Mitch

 

[StevenPro]

I took a quick read through that paper and would agree with you. It seems very likely that most of the fishes that were sighted are aquarium releases because of how close they are to shore and major population centers, but the lionfish populations do not seem to follow that criteria.

 

[nanocat]

How many out there think 1,000,000 people buy 100 animals each?

100 fish? Not in my lifetime? More likely the average stocking list is around 6-10 fish. Figure some losses and replacements and I'd say the average hobbiest will buy way less than 30 fish.

 

[StevenPro]

How many out there think 1,000,000 people buy 100 animals each?

100 fish? Not in my lifetime? More likely the average stocking list is around 6-10 fish. Figure some losses and replacements and I'd say the average hobbiest will buy way less than 30 fish.

Note the use of the term "animals". I believe he is including corals and invertebrates as well.

 

[Anonymous]

Excellent little booklet. Shame on you Steve!!

Mandarins won't live unless in a mature tank with lots of pods.
Industry take: show lots of those psychodelic fish which attract people to buy beginer tanks (10 gal) along with the fish together with lots of useful stuff like canister filters.

Butterflyfish are not for beginners. They require good water conditions, many of them are impossible to keep and most eat coral.
Industry take: Yes, some of them like the striped yellow one eats baby anemones but most are easy to keep in that clean new 10 gallon you bought. Buy a UV and you will keep the lice away.

Ribbon eels; escape artists, don't like active tankmates, need to be hand fed and require pristine conditions.
Industry take; They are just baby morays , easy to keep with your other fish. Give the tank a good shake and they will come out of their hideout.

And the cleaner wrasse and Moorish Idol. I knew a friend who said that his friend had kept one for yeaaaaaaaaaaaars with no problems.

you know absolutely nothing about all of the abovementioned species or their long term husbandry

just for starters, you can keep mandarins for their entire life span without them eating a single pod, and have them do just fine








but then again, not having a clue never stopped you from offering your piece of mind before-why should it now?

 

[clarionreef]

JennM wrote:

Perhaps the booklet should come with an aptitude test...

Score 0-25 = Get out of the hobby while you still have a bank balance

Score 25-50 = Prepare to waste a lot of livestock and cash

Score 50-75 = There's hope that your tank won't end up on eBay

Score 75-100 = Congratulations - you're in the minority!


Jenn

Newsflash ;
None of our favorite NGOs administrative BODs could pass Jenns test either...nor could any of their funders.
I don't like being regulated by people who know so little about what they're trying to regulate.
Experience and knowledge would sure help to 'ground' them and give them credibility, but the ones chosen simply don't have it....and know not of which they speak.
Steve