I will admit that when I first started with this hobby that I flushed fish that I no longer wanted. After doing that a couple times my conscience(sp?) got to me, and now I give unwanted fish to LFS. Even if they won't give me a trade or store credit, I still donate my fish. I've never released fish into a lake or any other body of water. I have caught fish in lakes that didn't seem to belong there however. A 12" pacu and some type of cichlid (about 5") in lakes that are normally stocked with trout. So my question is, has anybody ever released fish in this way? Is anybody against it, and why or why not? Would you consider it unethical? I'd like to hear everyone's way of getting rid of unwanted fish.
unwanted fish
- Thread starter meangene714
- Start date
I don't think I have had that problem. I don't buy fish I don't want, and I try to keep breeding to a minimum buy at leats attempting to stock only one gender of fish I wnat to restrict, or separating a pair I see attempting to mate. Sorry, can't help you there.
My Dad used to euthanize and flush. He also bred and sold angels too.
My Dad used to euthanize and flush. He also bred and sold angels too.
Shekoi
Trying to start up again
any fish i get from breeding i always grow them get store credit for them at local store.
fish shouldn't be released into local lakes, because they could infect native fish with disease and or eat them which would cause massive problems for the native stocks.
fish shouldn't be released into local lakes, because they could infect native fish with disease and or eat them which would cause massive problems for the native stocks.
The best thing to do is give them back the the LFS. Credit or not. Good move meangene.
Releasing them into a body of water is why fish are now becoming illegal to own. They effect the ecology. They end up eating and killing the fish in those bodies.
It's plain foolish to do so. In the past year, the Snakehead has become illegal to own in the U.S. Thanks to some fool who released it into a lake.
If this continues to happen, they will end up adding more to the list.
Lila
Releasing them into a body of water is why fish are now becoming illegal to own. They effect the ecology. They end up eating and killing the fish in those bodies.
It's plain foolish to do so. In the past year, the Snakehead has become illegal to own in the U.S. Thanks to some fool who released it into a lake.
If this continues to happen, they will end up adding more to the list.
Lila
It is actively illegal to release a fish into an open body of water in the state of Tennessee, possibly a nationwide law. Even fish that are "natives", because of the introduction of aquarium diseases into the native environment and the differences in agression levels between captive-kept and wild fish. If a game warden catches anyone collecting or releasing fish of any type, native OR exotic, without proper permits, the fines are steep and it may include jailtime.
Returning to the LFS, donation to an aquarium, or release into a private, no-outlet pond are the only options that are suitable for fish that are too large for your setup or that are otherwise no longer desired.
Returning to the LFS, donation to an aquarium, or release into a private, no-outlet pond are the only options that are suitable for fish that are too large for your setup or that are otherwise no longer desired.
a local college in Edmond, Oklahoma has a large pond/lake on their campus and I'm sure it's full of tropical fish. I know at least 2 seperate people who lived near the campus while there at college and turned their cichlids loose in the lake. I doubt these 2 people are the only ones. I would imagine there are many college lakes around the country. I think they would stand a chance to live here in Oklahoma since the water rarely freezes. Kyle
It is Illegal in virtually every state to release fish into a body of water, In Ohio it even goes as far as to say it is illegal to tranport and release any aquatic species in a body of water different than you took it from. There are far reaching ramifications with non native species. I tend to never buy fish I don't plan to keep, There are several solutions, that are very viable, most of which have been mentioned above. If I need an axtra fish for something I tend to use feeders or bait store minnows, and then give them a home with a natural predator when their time is up. Since I have learned about fishless cycling methods, I don't forsee a need To purchase any fish I don't have a use for. There are many lakes with non-native specieas in them. In an enclosed pond, there are many options that people use, with proper permits. I know of a few places in the U.S. where you can fish for Peacock bass, but in any of those places the native species are greatly subdued.
I'd have to agree with everyone on just bringing them back to the LFS no matter what. Otherwise I suppose you could give them to a friend or something like that.
Aquarium fish are seldom suitable for human consumption, especially if the tank has been medicated.
Releasing fish into local water ways--even native species you pulled out of those same waters--is innapropriate, and often illegal. With native species, contact a local college and see if they would like the specimen. They often have tanks and permits to kepp these fish for biology/ecology courses and will take in a variety of species. Some will accept non-native species as well. Very few zoos and aquariums are willing to take hobbyist animals anymore--they are inundated with the common ones, can't deal with the huge ones, and often won't risk their existing stock on the unknown.
Returning/exchanging the fish is sometimes an option--it often depends on what fish you have. Large oscars, pacu, aggressive cichlids can be tough for LFS to handle, and some will not accept them for this reason. One reason why it's important to know if you'll be able to provide a good home for the fish for it's entire life before buying it.
While I would not want to do so myself, killing the fish would likely be a better option if you are unable to provide for it, or find someone willing and able to do so. Tough, but much better than releasing it into local waters.
Releasing fish into local water ways--even native species you pulled out of those same waters--is innapropriate, and often illegal. With native species, contact a local college and see if they would like the specimen. They often have tanks and permits to kepp these fish for biology/ecology courses and will take in a variety of species. Some will accept non-native species as well. Very few zoos and aquariums are willing to take hobbyist animals anymore--they are inundated with the common ones, can't deal with the huge ones, and often won't risk their existing stock on the unknown.
Returning/exchanging the fish is sometimes an option--it often depends on what fish you have. Large oscars, pacu, aggressive cichlids can be tough for LFS to handle, and some will not accept them for this reason. One reason why it's important to know if you'll be able to provide a good home for the fish for it's entire life before buying it.
While I would not want to do so myself, killing the fish would likely be a better option if you are unable to provide for it, or find someone willing and able to do so. Tough, but much better than releasing it into local waters.