Questions regarding Asian sources of seahorses

[Anonymous]

double.

I believe the proper term is "Milzed" :wink:

I thought "Milzed" was for deleting content you changed your mind about, not deleting a double post.

That is correct.

As for this particular subject, personally, if I were still in the hobby I would like to do what would benefit people in countries such as the Philipines, Indonesia, etcetera. They are, after all, the real wardens of the environs hobbyists value, and if they are not supported then there will be at least the ramification of further detrimental exploitation. If that means going with their net-caughts, I might go in that direction. It really all depends, but I won't say that it's necessarily or automatically better to go with, for instance, U.S. maricultured, not with what I know of the issues with maricultured food grade organisms.

For our seafood needs, we have determined that what is actually healthier -- both for our consumption and long term ecological health -- is to purchase specific U.S. wild-caught rather than certain cultured species. Take, for instance, the Mexican shrimp mariculture, which is fraught with terrible problems and isn't very good for consumption after all. Salmon fisheries are another good example whose lessons should be extrapolated in marine ornamental culture.

 

[Anonymous]

Claire, I completely agree with you. A delicate fish stressed from shipping will be susceptible to opportunistic pathogens. I try to quarantine them to not only protect the specimens I already have but to provide a stress free environment for the new delicate fish. We all have had delicate fish that needed a bit of extra TLC before being placed in a community environment. After being provided strong nutritious food and a decreased stress level, these fish can be introduced and live healthy lives.

The problem I see is that these delicate fish are being placed in new tanks and not receiving the care a delicate fish needs. I think that might explain the seemingly less healthy specimens. I think a person who can afford to pay triple the price for the above mentioned breeders might have a stronger tank to put them in, might have access to better food, ect.

Elysia, I think your concern for the seahorses in the ocean is admirable. I wonder if you might reconsider Hemdel's advice to contact ProjectSeahorse. They have an established base, a way to actually look into your concerns, and I have a feeling if it is true, they might already be doing it. Or maybe they have already looked into it and ruled it out. Either way, maybe a campaign to help them would be appropriate. They do accept donations from concerned people. Maybe you could contact Molly to get a fund raising campaign going. If anyone can help this problem, it would be Project Seahorse.

 

[Anonymous]

Do a search of this forum with "Blue Hula" + "ProjectSeahorse" to further understand that NGO from one of thier ex-scientists.

 

[reidi_tim]

Dan at seahorse source does an excellent job at providing good sea horse, ORA also offers cb ponies to the lfs, so there are still options for the lfs to get actual cb into their store if they no where to look. And if not in this country there is Tracy Warland at www.saseahorse.com and mic at www.seahorsesanctuary.com.au. they are out here u just gotta look

As far as Amanda Vincent goes in my opion she is the seahorse worst enemy.