Ethics of wild caught fish vs tank bred

[Inka4040]

The cardinal trade supports many communities in the Amazon, and can be held as the perfect example of sustainable harvest. There is so much sketchy stuff going on with the collection of loaches, bettas, and many other Asian fish that I cannot include them in my defense of responsible collecting. The biggest example of these deplorable practices could be Schistura pridii, which are still very rare (thankfully) in the hobby and are presumably being poached out of nature reserves in Northern Thailand.

One thing we need to keep in mind though, is our role in all this as aquarists. As was the case with the celestial pearl danio, we are in a position to greatly advance the cause of conservation, and can choose to serve as a repository of species, breeding and preserving natural bloodlines for future generations.

 

[Star_Rider]

I agree..tho ultimately some species will eventually fade from existance.
even with captive breeding.:wall:

 

[PuppyFluffer]

The cardinal trade supports many communities in the Amazon, and can be held as the perfect example of sustainable harvest. There is so much sketchy stuff going on with the collection of loaches, bettas, and many other Asian fish that I cannot include them in my defense of responsible collecting. The biggest example of these deplorable practices could be Schistura pridii, which are still very rare (thankfully) in the hobby and are presumably being poached out of nature reserves in Northern Thailand.

One thing we need to keep in mind though, is our role in all this as aquarists. As was the case with the celestial pearl danio, we are in a position to greatly advance the cause of conservation, and can choose to serve as a repository of species, breeding and preserving natural bloodlines for future generations.

Inka, I did a search on Schistura pridii and found this article. http://www.loaches.com/species-index/schistura-pridii
Very informative.

It is important to me to know where the fish I am considering purchasing have come from and the conditions under which they have been collected or bred. I am interested in participating in this hobby in as conscious a manner as I possibly can.

As it is, I refuse to do business with any shop that sells puppies or kittens.
I refuse to shop any place that carries artifically colored fish.

It limits my sources a lot and makes me travel at least an hour to locate a place to purchase from. I am beginning to look into purchasing from members here who have things I want.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

PF,

You may also want to check out any local aquarium clubs. They're a great source for quality fish and they know (and will readily share) information about the conditions the fish have been kept / bred in.

 

[BigFishKeeper]

dude, i'm sorry but i have a very hard time believing that, isn't your biggest tank only 110g? you'd need somewhere around 2,000g for those fish.

What do you think I'm lieing now...... My biggest tank is 300(empty), 150, 125. Look I have a few pics:


I only took pics of the RTC and the Lima since they are the wild ones. Found through my lfs that the pacus and arowana are not wild.
BFK(BigFishKeeper)

 

[Inka4040]

Here's a site about sustainable collecting in South America.

http://opefe.com/piaba.html

BFK. I think he was taking issue with the caught them in the Amazon with my friends bit more than the I have the following fish bit...

 

[Lupin]

I can't believe that Lupin didn't mentioned the much beloved loaches! lol

There have been very few successful tank breedings of most species so almost all are wild caught.

I have to admit I tend to forget at times. Sorry.

 

[Lupin]

The loach exception is Y. sidthimunki, all in the hobby are bred using hormone injection. The wild population in the original area are thought to possibly be extinct although now found in another area(s). Recently a hobbyist in GB bred a few without hormones, very exciting!
Weather loaches are raised for food in some places too.
There are other hormone bred loaches in some of the former Soviet block countries with strong suspicions of hybrids (too bad).

Ahh..Good information although I am aware of the sids but simply forgot.erv:

I'm still trying to grasp the truth on the possible hybridization of about four species (Botia almorhae, Botia rostrata, Botia kubotai and Botia histrionica) of botiine loaches in Czech Republic.

 

[BigFishKeeper]

I have to admit I tend to forget at times. Sorry.

When you get old you sometimes forget things.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I have to admit I tend to forget at times. Sorry.

This is your one freebie. I expect you to be on "loach alert" from now on! :grinyes: