Dont Release a Pest....Freezing Is Best

[Hosser]

At the SouthEastern Reef Conference Modern ReefKeeping was given a dvd short from the University of Central FLorida that talked about the plague that overcame parts of California and Austraila. Caulerpa taxifolia, covered over 200 kilometers of coastline which bore it the name "the killer algae".

We were asked to showcase or talk about this dvd on the site in one way or another for more than just the envasive algae. It also hits on releasing marine fish from aquaria into the oceans. Locally we have a lion fish problem. Other places have seen non native species take over as well. The dvd spells out proper and responsible ways to dispose of or get rid of your tanks inhabitants once you cant care for them any longer.
1) return it to a responsible LFS
2) give them to other responsible aquarists
3) contact responsible LFS for guidance on humane animal disposal
4) freeze unwanted plants for minimum of 24 hours

The video has some intresting info and is done in quick short animated films. If I can figure out how to get them on here I will. As a community we need to watch out for this releasing into the wild so as to preserve our ecosystems locally.

[ls1fst98]

speaking of releasing into wild, i was fishing yesterday and saw a huge plecostimus (sp?) in the lake/river we were fishing in...i know they are not native to florida and there must have been at least ten in the one area i was looking.

PS...we need to find that girl...

[CoralConnection]

I would like to comment on this from a LFS's point of view.  We are hesitent in taking in fish from customers for several reasons.  First and foremost, I/we have to go to the expense of setting up a completely separate system to house and quarantine these random fish, which in many cases are unsaleable due to temperament, poor health and or signs of poor husbandry practices ie:(hole in the head, fin rot, lateral line disease....). Having these fish in the shop reflects badly on us to our customers who would think "these folks don't know what they are doing, they can't even keep their fish healthy".  Also, many of the people who want to bring us fish want store credit for their unwanted, usually poorly taken care of fish.  Again, I usually don't want the fish they bring in, so why would I give them credit for it?  I have the expense in having a separate system for these discarded fish, the expense of feeding them and bringing their health back not to mention the losses of said fish as well the time and effort spent trying to find them a good home.  I've even had people say.."well can't you just throw them in with your other fish"  They don't understand that our fish are selected and purchased from select wholesalers who take great care in handling all fish with great effort and care as to not spread disease and maintain superior health.  If I just "Throw" their fish in my system I'm taking the chance of killing hundreds of dollars worth of meticulously handled fish we have selected and cared so dearly for for our customers to choose from and purchase.  I do however take fish from customers as they are living creatures who deserve our respect and care. That is one reason we try to stress to our customers, especially new ones to PLEASE do your research before you purchase fish for your tank. They are not toys to be discarded.

[michael]

good post, and understandable as well.

[Hosser]

That is a very good point. Thanks for posting that side of things.

[ls1fst98]

but you should still never release a non-native species into the wild...the outcome can have grave consequences.

[Hosser]

Ive been wondering for quite some time if the state of FLorida would ever put a bounty on lion fish and some other non native species that are harming local species. I know there have been tons of occillaris sightings, perc sightings and of course some might not adversaly affect it as others but lion fish seem to be a huge hinderance to our local waters.
Its not an endangered species so I dont see a reason not to put a small bounty out on them making it worthwhile to anglers and divers to capture them.

[ls1fst98]

i wonder if they are good eating??

[Hosser]

lion fish sushi?

[SeattlesDarko]

This is a bad trend in all animal hobbies, a lot of great pets have been out lawed because of its how invasive they are. Frogs, Turtles all kinds of things. My GF and I are memners of PNWHS.org and its a catch 22 because people have animals/plants they don't want and pet stores will not take them because its against the law to have them but what are people suppose to do with them?

[Hosser]

I think it falls on the ones who want them, if you cant care for it till its death or at least have someone else who can at a later time then they shouldnt have it. I really do like how the state of Hawaii handles animals and it works, they have never had an envasive species and although they are very stringent it shows in the islands natural living things that make it so great. Locally Id like to share a quick story from the news.....( I happen to know first hand about this guy as he use to work for my brother in law and has been a criminal for some time)...this guy buys a burmese python, then stages a fake capture of it. All for attention and publicity, stuff like this solidifies something drastic needs to be done with certain species.  http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/story.asp?s=11449459