Bangaiis- your thoughts
- Thread starter iReef1234
- Start date
TimeConsumer
Active member
My thought is that when captive bred specimens are available that it is our responsibility to seek them out over wild caught.
SNAKEMANVET
PREMIUM MEMBER
They should not be wild caught anymore,since they breed like rabbits.I have raised several batches and they sell fast.This is we as a hobby need to try and raise them and sell back to our Lfs and fellow reefers.I know a lot ppl don't want to go through the trouble of feeding but to see them grow makes you feel good.
TimeConsumer
Active member
I agree that breeding is important. But just as important is for people to demand captive-bred species. Wild caught are usually cheaper so most LFS will buy those to keep prices down. If there were more hobbyists that wouldn't settle for wild species it would go a long way.
This is a very important issue for me. I am in the process of setting up a 20g nano reef that is going to be entirely captive bred livestock. From the fish to the corals to the snails. My version is a little excessive, but I'm also doing it to try and raise awareness.
This is a very important issue for me. I am in the process of setting up a 20g nano reef that is going to be entirely captive bred livestock. From the fish to the corals to the snails. My version is a little excessive, but I'm also doing it to try and raise awareness.
iReef1234
New member
I feel the same way but see that PIJAC is not interested in promoting captive raised banggais which, to me, means they are not supporting aquarists who breed them. Why don't they support our interests in captive raising this species?
Check out Ret Talbot's post about PIJAC's stance here: https://rettalbot.wordpress.com/2016/01/22/pijac-strongly-recommends-nmfs-not-prohibit-trade-in-banggai-cardinalfish/
"PIJAC Advocates Continued Trade in Wild-Harvest Banggai Cardinalfish"
Check out Ret Talbot's post about PIJAC's stance here: https://rettalbot.wordpress.com/2016/01/22/pijac-strongly-recommends-nmfs-not-prohibit-trade-in-banggai-cardinalfish/
"PIJAC Advocates Continued Trade in Wild-Harvest Banggai Cardinalfish"
iReef1234
New member
Thanks for the detailed reply! :fish2:
TimeConsumer
Active member
Well, they are a lobbying group. Their main goal is to protect the interest of their members. So if Banggai Cardinal breeders aren't a part of their lobby then they have no reason to support them over the importers, wholesalers, and retailers that are part of their lobby.
iReef1234
New member
Makes sense. I was confused bc I heard people saying it was a conservation group.
ReefPharmer
Active member
PIJAC - pet industry joint advisory council. Probably as far as you can get from conservationism. They are the OPEC of pets. Anything from "commercial dog / cat breeders", to wild capture of all types of species, if it sells in a petstore, its part of their lobby.
iReef1234
New member
Why do reefers give money towards it? My local club gave a lot. But here on RC many people say they would rather make the hobby conservation oriented. Giving money to industry to fight conservation/ESA/captive rearing potential doesn't make sense. I guess this is because everyone is different?
Thanks for explaining! Yall are awesome (and patient)
Thanks for explaining! Yall are awesome (and patient)
TimeConsumer
Active member
Maybe they don't know any better. Or maybe they don't care much about supporting small captive breeders. Maybe they would rather see lobbying change the regulations in CITES to make importing wild specimens easier (not everyone is conservation oriented).
I would probably just ask your reef club leaders why.
I would probably just ask your reef club leaders why.
PIJAC's stance on wild Bengaliis is wrong, but they do support the hobbyist and we should support them. The recent debacle with the attempted coral ban is a perfect example. They are one of the few who are in our corner to try and stop those who hold a position that marine aquariums should flat out be illegal. So be careful by taking a complete stance against them. No one and no organization is perfect. Write them a letter voicing your opinion on the Bengaii situation, but remember at the end of the day, they have your back.
CStrickland
New member
Honestly, I was really disappointed in PIJAC's approach to the coral restrictions. I thought it was a poor choice to try to rile up the hobby with threats about taking away our coral, and send people off to write comments on the bill with very little info. But I can see how framing the issue as "us vs. them" is beneficial to a lobbying group. I'd be curious to know what they actually did with all the money they raised.
There were legit issues with the additions the EPA was trying to pass, but it got drowned out by PIJACs fearmongering. IDK if it's in the hobbys interest to come off like a bunch of "don't tread on me" wackos. It'd be good if we could cultivate a relationship with the agencies that have a say in what we can collect.
I don't see a good reason to buy wild fish whenever there are captive bred ones available.
There were legit issues with the additions the EPA was trying to pass, but it got drowned out by PIJACs fearmongering. IDK if it's in the hobbys interest to come off like a bunch of "don't tread on me" wackos. It'd be good if we could cultivate a relationship with the agencies that have a say in what we can collect.
I don't see a good reason to buy wild fish whenever there are captive bred ones available.
Biological contamination, aquariums may have foreign bacteria, viruses, etc that would end up being introduced to wild populations with unknown effects. Those bred in captivity may never have survived in the wild so genetic viability of the wild population could be heavily skewed based on numbers released, etc.
What do you think happens at a fish hatchery?
