Invasive fish and us

Hey guys

An interesting article to look into. While some responsibility does fall onto the wholesalers and traders, us as aquarists must take full responsibility for our pets.

Trade in alien pets rife in KZN

Regards,

 

Plecos are illegal?

 

As it stands, no. But they may soon be: they're highly invasive, highly competitive, and damaging to the environment around them when they reach large enough numbers. As I understand it, they'll be on the next version of the SA freshwater fish blacklist.

Here's a video of several in Texas. Invasive.

It's not in the description in this video, but I remember it a while back from the PFK forums. Apparently it is in a Mexican lake. Invasive.

Not all plecos stand to be banned, though, just the common ones: common plec, hi-fin plec, and maybe a couple of similar ones. Probably Ancistrus too.

 

I think the common plec, hi-fin plec and similar are more of a problem than ancistrus because the plecos get so much bigger. When the little fish you bought outgrows the tank people are more likely to 'set it free', ignorant of the damage it can cause in the environment.

 

Yeah and like the Pseudacanthicus species and Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps, they get huge.
And if Ancistrus gets band I'll keep mine,as I will never "set them free" or any other ornamental fish I have.

 

Currently you can not be prosecuted for possession.

 

From the article: "European mussel colonies along the KZN shores outcompeting local species, or rivers where introduced species such as bass, trout and carp endanger the ecosystem."
Which were all brought in as pets, obviously. I'm tired of the pet trade being the scapegoat for invasives when most were introduced deliberately as food sources. But yeah, don't be an idiot and "set your pet free" - the best case scenario is that the poor thing dies.

 

@PsyXe - of those, carp are partially the fault of aquarists (well, pond keepers), but yes mainly as a food source/angling species. And you'd think ornamental carp - A.K.A koi - wouldn't make it long in the wild, with their bright colours... I've seen several that have grown huge in natural waterways. It's a bit of a lesson that we shouldn't underestimate any animal's potential to adapt to a foreign environment.

Many invasives in South Africa are from the aquarium trade though - goldfish, guppies, swordtails, plecs, and maybe others. While it may not seem fair that fingers are pointed at us when the real damage causers are the aquaculture/angling/food fishes people, we do have a responsibility to be aware of the impact we could have on our native species. It's all well and good to hope that everyone has enough sense not to do so, but many people just don't know any better. That's why it's important to put out messages like this to create awareness about it.

 

Agree. Well said. Can we make this thread a sticky?

 

I understand where you are coming from but disagree. The Pet trade is a perfect scapegoat for invasive species being released into indigenous waters because people who own pet shops do not inform keepers of the species requirements their pets have... Its like selling a Cat to someone and telling them they need daily walks :/

 

Agree that the Aquarium Trade should inform their buyers about disposal, sizing, requirements etc. We only know about the BL because of the forum. Never heard of it before. I know ignorance is not an excuse but how can you know what you can and can't keep if nobody is told at the point of sale/purchase.

Saying that, please read about your potential new purchase before making that compulsive buy.

 

i have seen this first hand over the december vacation in Durbs - went to a pet shop - as i always do to have a look at the fish both fresh and marine. Got a shock to see freshwater crayfish in one tank and then in the next tank, were 2 alligator gars. All these were for sale. The guy behind the counter stated that they always get in the crayfish as it was a big seller. Its madness that they actually sell these things.

 

Hmm I suppose deliberate release of exotic species into indigenous waters can't be blamed on pet shops though or on pet owners for that matter...

 

Education is the most important thing here. As fish keepers it is also our responsibility to inform and educate new aquarist alike.

 

I believe that if you are going to take care of any animal, fish, reptile, amphibian, insect, etc that that person has done their homework and that they are prepared to spend the necessary money to accommodate their new pet. Today most households have a PC, laptop, tablet or cellphone which one can use to "google" information.

 

My problem is that animal rights activists who believe that keeping pets is slavery ("No animal should be used for the selfish entertainment of humans") use this issue to try and get legislation passed that would severely constrain and eventually end all pet keeping. "Weird" hobbyists like aquarists, herpers etc are an easy first target, because many of the people who give money to these organisations have and love cats and dogs. In the US a law was recently proposed (it fortunately didn't make it very far) that would have made all pet fish BL except for one species: Carassius auratus. This along with similar restrictions on reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. I don't believe that the majority of people in our government care much about animal or pet issues, one way or another, and so it would be very easy for the anti-pet lobby, if they get a foot in the door, to basically take control of policy in the area if not opposed by strong lobbies of hobbyists and people in pet-related businesses. This of course will have to include self-policing and educating each other about best practice. Maybe someone should set up a Big Fish Rescue Shelter to discourage people from dumping fish that outgrow their tanks?!

 

Yes. His name is @Willem but I think he is cutting back on the rescues as it costs a fortune

 

@Hawk Thanks yes I do run the fish adoption setup and have rescued fish that were destined for the local dams and rivers and I have scaled down but will still take in fish in extreme cases. As you know I had a setback a couple of weeks ago but the system is up and running and all the fish is alive and healthy again.

I took in 5 High fin pangasius aswell ( Thanks @Zaskia ) whitch also didn't have a place to go and had to setup my 2.4 ( whitch was for sale ) again to house them so it seems even if I want to scale down there will always be fish in need.


Regards Willem