breeding experts needed

[lilyost4290]

Hi all,

I am currently working on a project for school on the importance of aquaculture and fish breeding in terms of limiting the hobby's cost on natural reef creatures.

Would anyone here who has experience breeding marine fish care to answer a few questions?

I'd appreciate the help.

Thanks,

 

[ernieq]

Post your questions here, you will get a response quick enough.

 

[lilyost4290]

1. Why did you get into breeding? Was it because of a potential business opportunity? or was it to help sustainability in the hobby? Or some other reason all together?

2. What is the importance of learning to breed marine fish in captivity for the hobby?

3. How many species can be bred in captivity on a large enough scale to reduce the colection of wild species?

Thanks,

 

[ernieq]

1. For the experience of it all. There was no econimic motivation in my case.

2. Some species just cannot be reared in captivity because we cannot reproduce the necessary environment, but on the species that can adapt, it will be helpful in the long run as maintaining the balance of life in coral reefs is a must.

3. I think for the most part, clownfish in general are now readily available as tank raised, some species are only sold as tank raised because wild caught specimens are just not available due to collection laws. Gobies and cardinals are some of the others available. There is some success with dwarf angels. But at this point, the number of species bred in captivity is very small compared to the variety that is sold in hobby normally.

 

[Tmoriarty]

1. Why did you get into breeding? Was it because of a potential business opportunity? or was it to help sustainability in the hobby? Or some other reason all together?

It has always been the plan for me to create a tank dominated by clownfish so that was my primary reason for breeding. While I have just had my first hatch my drive to breed them and eventually seahorses comes with the enjoyment I get working with biology and micro-biology. There is a very involved process with breeding and that is what got me into that aspect of the hobby. Monetary gain can only truely be aquired with certain species or with larger outfits able to produce far more offspring than a normal hobbyist.

2. What is the importance of learning to breed marine fish in captivity for the hobby?

Not all fish can be breed in captivity but the ability to breed some marine fish in captivity reduces the strain on the reef. There are approx. 400,000 clownfish brought into the US each year, any reduction in those numbers through captive breeding helps increase the sustainability of our reefs.

3. How many species can be bred in captivity on a large enough scale to reduce the colection of wild species?

There are many species that can be breed involving marine fish ranging from clams to seahorses. Some species however are far harder to breed in aquaria including species like the endangered sea dragons (a relative of sea horses). While attempts are being made to breed these sorts of endangered species there is still much that is unknown about the mysteries of the ocean and its inhabitants.

Hope this helps you out on your project.

 

[ericauch]

1. Why did you get into breeding? Was it because of a potential business opportunity? or was it to help sustainability in the hobby? Or some other reason all together?

I originaly started just slowly into the hobby. then i grew and got tired of reef tanks and wanted something more challenging. Ive always loved the ocean. For me the breeding of marine fish and invertabrates is all about the passion. I have allways wanted to breed fish. And knowing that i can possibly be helping the demand of wild caught fish go down so the few awesome species there are still left will not go extinct. Don't get me wrong i enjoy the money in it because it pays for the hoby. but id still do it if there wasnt much money involved.

2. What is the importance of learning to breed marine fish in captivity for the hobby?

there are many importances. i could wright several chapters in a book about the question u just asked. like the experiences that the hobby has undergone and grown from sence in the last 10-15 years. use to be you couldnt find anything but oc and it was unheard of to breed them in your home. now there are so many different types of clowns/fish that are home bread, you dont have to find them wild caught. as more and more of the places ,wehre we have origionaly farmed fish from, are being shut down the prices are sky rocketing, and species are being farmed out. We .as hobbiests are rapidly lossing species of fish that were once readily available. Like i said i could wright chapers on this question alone.

3. How many species can be bred in captivity on a large enough scale to reduce the colection of wild species?

Still not too many but i have high hopes because there are people in the hobby that are consistantly trying and learning about breeding different species. Allthough i agree that not all species will be able to be reared in captivity, but i have high hopes that most of the species will be studied and refined enough to be able to be bread in the future. So where do we draw the line in endangering the species or habbitat itself to further the studdies on the fish to protect them. Really its hard decission to make. Like i said before this hobby has come such a long way in the past 15 years its rediculous. I have high hopes for the breeding of more species in this hobby. I also hope i can be apart of this in some way.

 

[ericauch]

BTW i in no way consider myself an expert lol

 

[lilyost4290]

Thanks everyone!