They are not in Florida, but in Georgia, and they reside mainly in the Okefenokee swamps, which are protected. You actually have to get a permit ahead of time to even go in there. Their distribution does extend outside okefenokee, but there is some variation in appearance in their range. E. evergladei is a close relative, and I know you can get those in Florida, but not likely in Miami. You always have to be careful about collecting from native waters, especially wetlands. I know there are at least some people in NANFA that trade them around here and there, but they are by no means common. Part of the issue is their sensetivity. They are a cool water fish, and they don't tend to ship as well as most common tropicals, nor are they bulletproof after acclimation. Of the 50 or so I got, I distributed over half of them locally here to fish friends and many reported losing theirs within a couple months, and that was after I had them for a while and got them conditioned. Only a few people still have them, but they seem to be doing well. They're not at all aggressive, though males do establish little territories (maybe half a 10 gallon) and will chase other males or non-breeding females out. No damage though. Big thing seems to be giving them their own tank, even a 5 or 10 gallon, and lots of live plant cover, not too much light, low water flow, good oxygenation, lots of live foods. Kind of think of them as a cool water, blue version of the scarlet badis for care. Even small tetras or cories are too much for these guys. Snails seem ok, though I wonder about predation on their eggs.
great looking fish, tell us more about there temperment ok.
