Ethics of wild caught fish vs tank bred

[BigFishKeeper]

LOL loache fever!! Pacu and arowana fever for me!

 

[Dwarf Puffers]

I have a few wild fish that I caught in the Amazon with my friends: A 15'' RTC, 12'' Silver Arowana, and a whole school of 12'' pacus and redhooks. I keep them with my tanK RASIED FISH AND THEY ALL ACT THE SAME. But the wilds are always hungry!

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)

So, you traveled to the amazon and caught a wild arowana and shovelnose, and proceeded to catch a "school" of captive bred pacus, SD's, and a RTC? Sounds like you bought them at a LFS. Sorry, but I hardly expect someone of 14 years of age to go to the amazon and catch captive bred fish.

Oh, and by the way... You'll need a 1000 gallon for the RTC, and tanks at least 40" deep and 36" tall for the pacus... A 300, 150 and a 125 won't be enough.

 

[SchizotypalVamp]

When you get old you sometimes forget things.

This will not end well...

 

[Hooked Newbie]

opcorn:

 

[Rbishop]

Just a wild thought on my part here...I know what this thread will not turn into...

Thanks...:grinyes:

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Back on topic... I just came across a related article in PPN. Here are some of the highlights...

90% + of FW fish in the industry are commercially raised in Asia or Florida. The fish from Fl. grow half as fast during the Winter so more are available in late Summer and Fall. No real seasonal differences for Asian imports.

The most widely available wild caught fish are Corydoras, Plecos, and Loaches (primarily Clown loaches).

 

[Lupin]

PPN? Not familiar with the abbreviation.

The most widely available wild caught fish are Corydoras, Plecos, and Loaches (primarily Clown loaches).

You just made me grin at the mention of the er...you-know-what. :lipssealedsmilie:

 

[TMDragon]

Well, for those of you fortunate to live in countries where you are allowed to keep Asian Arowanas, the only way to go is Tank Bred. Catching and keeping any wild Scleropages formosus is illegal because they are endangered. To make sure of it, all tank bred and raised asian arowanas are tagged with microchips and come with a certificate of identification to prove that it was not wild caught. Also asian arowanas are not to be sold until they are 6-7'', the size at which they can be properly tagged without harm.

I still don't understand why we can't keep them in the U.S. when people in Texas can keep endangered species of tigers as pets....

 

[Notophthalmus]

Voice your concerns to someone who can do something about it! The authorities only make exceptions or lift bans if there seems to be some demand for the species to be excepted; otherwise why bother? They may be unaware of the availability of tagged specimens or the fact that there is demand for them. I'm not sure who regulates importation of endangered species, but whoever it is you should talk to them. If you know other people who want to keep the species, have them call in too!

The worst thing that can happen is that the situation stays the same, so you might as well give it a shot.

 

[TMDragon]

We have been trying, but to no avail. Still keeping my fingers crossed, but if it comes to it, I'll move to Canada just to own one before I die, lol. Not too far from home.

Here's the Save the Arowana Thread at MFK
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68222