CARES endangered species
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BadOscar;3899760; said:6 bar, yours look to be about the same size as the one I got from don a few months ago. I now wish I had got more of them. Really interesting fish up close and one of my favorites I got. Here are a couple pics of mine.
Thanks, I'm so sorry for the late reply, I had thought few people were really looking at this thread so I was just updating periodically without noticing what people had said. I got my rhytisma from Conkel as well.
dogofwar;3899646; said:
Matt,
This is quite interesting. Thanks for the enlightenment.
I would say however, that the average hobbyist doesn't even care about the origins of the fish they keep, they just like the pretty colors or shape of their fish. I know most of the people on MFK are not average hobbyists so they do care. I do think it would be a fallacy of composition to state that hobbyists fall into your 2 categories of misdirected people. I am aware of the causes of the destruction of habitats for species such as rhytisma and most malagasy fish. It is sad
. That's why I've strived to keep CARES species as of recent. I believe that CARES is making an effort that is more within the control of hobbyists. And just as you have stated it is a multifaceted issue that is not within the sphere of influence of the hobbyist. It's tough, I mean the website you have directed us to look at has had it's set backs as well.
Honestly, I'm not much into politics so I've pretty much looked at what I can do from my home. As I did say earlier, I may never be able to change another country's mind as to how they protect or don't protect habitats, but I can keep certain species in my tanks and keep them alive rather than extinct.
I hope hobbyists at least do this.
dogofwar;3899646; said:
I agree that we should educate people about these species and it is certainly a great idea to encourage people to support groups that try to preserve and conserve habitats.
But with all due respect
, I do not think that it is accurate to say that people do not care about the fish if they do not know why they are endangered. I think we are talking about two different things that are related to one another. CARES is a great program that is making an effort to maintain the existence of a species, at the very least in the hobby, especially when the powers that be do not want to change their policies for conservation ( for whatever the reason).
Habitat protection and preservation is the crucial other side of the coin. Without it, the natural habitat of these species are destroyed and hopes of returning these species to their home would be futile.
It would be great to participate in both sides of the coin so that these species can thrive in their natural habitat. The 2 compliment each other. If programs like CARES do not exist, then we may be able to preserve the habitat, but if we do not have the fish to release them back into it, then the ecological cycle is incomplete. On the other hand, if all we do is keep fish and efforts are not made to change policies that lead to the protection of a habitat, then all we have are mini zoos in our home. Not to say zoos aren't awesome, in fact I know that the Denver zoo has tried to work with locals in Madagascar to change policies in that land. Still, this is why it is important to encourage both aspects of this crucial issue of conservation. For even the average hobbyist can keep certain species of endangered species (ie rainbows, redtail sharks, mountain minnows) and those who want to take it further and have the wherewithall to be involved politically should also do that as well.
Personally, I enjoy this hobby for the fish and watching them in my fish room. I'm not as inclined to be involved in the politics of another country. I mean it's one thing to send money to organizations that work towards preservation, and it's a whole other thing to go to those countries and speak to the powers that be and try to make some real change. (While I could do that in some instances because I speak Spanish, I'm not as inclined to speak with druglords or countries with corrupt governments. That's futile.
) Each hobbyist has their personal passion and level of involvement; one is not better than the other; nor does one indefinitely care more than the other. What do you think? I hope people could see that both sides of the coin are very important from an ecological perspective. From a hobbyists perspective I hope people will consider clearing up tank space for species that would otherwise be erradicated if not kept in a fish tank.
On another note, for you cichlidophiles out in the Western part of the US, Don Conkels is no longer selling fish to the hobbyist. He has a distributor.
Check out:
americancichlids.net
If you know Conkels, then you know that you'll be getting some quality CA/SA's from him through the Jennings. What's cool about it is that they got CARES species as well.
Check out:
americancichlids.net
If you know Conkels, then you know that you'll be getting some quality CA/SA's from him through the Jennings. What's cool about it is that they got CARES species as well.
Intresting, didn't relize Amphilophus lyonsi were in trouble. Thought they were fine since they are comon in the hopy and on many distributors stock lists.
Man, your lucky out there in sin city 'cause out in Denver, I haven't seen lyonsi in almost 2 years.
They haven't been easy breeders as compared to the other cichlids I've kept either.
I hear you though, I've seen some vendors with them such as Conkels and Rapps, but then again, those 2 guys are studs in the hobby. And I know Conkels brings in wild caught stuff. Is there anyone else you've seen selling lyonsi?
They haven't been easy breeders as compared to the other cichlids I've kept either.
I hear you though, I've seen some vendors with them such as Conkels and Rapps, but then again, those 2 guys are studs in the hobby. And I know Conkels brings in wild caught stuff. Is there anyone else you've seen selling lyonsi?
