a sad truth

[esoxlucius]

I was reading an article earlier about rare tropical fish and was gobsmacked because it seems that there are many fish we keep that are very common in the hobby but are virtually extinct in their natural environment. The two that surprised me most, mainly because i have them in my tanks, were the humble bala shark and dennison barb. The balas are mega rare in the wild and apparently dennisons are close to extinction! The only reason we have them in our tanks is because of the fish farms that breed them. I was wondering if anyone else has heard or read of any similar stories regarding other species of seemingly common species that are in fact struggling in their natural habitat.

 

[celebrist]

red tailed shark and related comes to mind. Asian arro maybe. just shows that our hobby can have some positive aspects for the fish

 

[monkeybike]

Boesemani rainbows are in trouble from what I hear, non native fish eating them

 

[Jhncf]

Pretty sure white cloud mountain minnows are almost extinct in the wild.

 

[dat_tiger]

I was reading an article earlier about rare tropical fish and was gobsmacked because it seems that there are many fish we keep that are very common in the hobby but are virtually extinct in their natural environment. The two that surprised me most, mainly because i have them in my tanks, were the humble bala shark and dennison barb. The balas are mega rare in the wild and apparently dennisons are close to extinction! The only reason we have them in our tanks is because of the fish farms that breed them. I was wondering if anyone else has heard or read of any similar stories regarding other species of seemingly common species that are in fact struggling in their natural habitat.

So why aren't these fish on the CITES list like the Asian arowana?

 

[ehh]

I think lyonsi are also extinct in the wild.

 

[FMA4ME]

Wow, this IS sad, ....sooo what about trying to reintroduce them with farm stock?

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Cherry barbs,pacu,black wolffish,goonch,arapaima,paroons,common carp in their native range

 

[wild bill]

I believe the lake Victoria Cichlids are all in danger because of introduced Nile Perch. In cases like this would just result in introduced stock being eaten too. This hobby the do gooders hate is keeping many species alive. Good for us a big feather in our caps and we should be applauded not attacked.

 

[skjl47]

Wow, this IS sad, ....sooo what about trying to reintroduce them with farm stock?

Hello; Often the issue is habitat destruction meaning there may not be any natural place suitable for them to live.