Found this at the Aquarium. ID????

[AquaReeferMan]

Hello everyone, I went to Adventure Aquarium(nj) today and found a couple of these. I forget what they were called. Anyone know? TIA.

Doug

 

[Samala]

Leafy sea dragon, Phycodurus eques

>Sarah

 

[Freed]

I assume this is NOT a fish store or a saltwater retail shop? Those are illegal to export from the waters of New Zealand/Australia.

 

[Samala]

No its a full blown public aquarium - www.adventureaquarium.com Very good institution, previously New Jersey State Aquarium, they are doing very well with husbandry for the animals IMO.

>Sarah

 

[Freed]

Aaaahhh, good to see. I hope alot more make it into the breeding scene and hopefully they can come off the endangered species list someday.

 

[Mishap]

After doing a little research on Phycodurus eques I've found that they are protected under the Australian Aquaculture Act (2001).

However, Under section 59 of the Fisheries Act (1982) in certain cases it is permitted to capture Broodstock for aquaculturing purposes. This is only considered on a case to case basis and must be approved by the Prime Minister.

There are strict guidelines that must be met in order to even be considered for the approval to collect Broodstock.

The entire legislature can be found here:

http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/byteserve/...l_dir_4of2005__broodstock_seed_collection.pdf


-Matt

 

[pledosophy]

You can also buy them in Hong Kong where "collectors" take them out of unprotected waters.