How come

[apriliarider15]

Where'd yours come from...just curious.

I remember seeing yours before as well, but couldn't find any of your old threads and the one I posted links for was fresh in my head.

Scat's fish are from Seiichi Hamada himself.

 

[SpeshulEd]

Haha, but where did Seiichi get them? What was the collection point?

 

[apriliarider15]

Sao Francisco river as far as I'm awhere but maybe Scat will post up when he gets time.

 

[gacericardo]

Thats correct. His are from Sao Francisco. Im pretty sure he only has the male left. I remember the sale thread. Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy out of my league

 

[apriliarider15]

I think he has both males but I'm not sure as I haven't talk with him about it. I think they are the only two in the country. I think John O'Malley(RIP) had one or two specimens as well that came from Seiichi but I'm not 100% on that. If he did who knows where they are now or if they are even alive.

 

[SpeshulEd]

This is probably a stupid question, but how come we don't see more collected?

Too difficult of an area to get into? Banned exporting? Protected area/species? Not many left in the wild?

Sorry for my ignorance if this has already been discussed in the past, just curious.

 

[I<3fish]

This is probably a stupid question, but how come we don't see more collected?

Too difficult of an area to get into? Banned exporting? Protected area/species? Not many left in the wild?

Sorry for my ignorance if this has already been discussed in the past, just curious.

The reason we don't see more is because ALL species of Cichla are illegal to export out of Brazil, as far as I can remember.

There are tons left in the wild, IBAMA just would rather have their countries dams/deforestation projects kill their fish species in masses than let other's aquarists breed them and atleast keep some of the species alive...

 

[hillbilly]

The reason we don't see more is because ALL species of Cichla are illegal to export out of Brazil, as far as I can remember.

There are tons left in the wild, IBAMA just would rather have their countries dams/deforestation projects kill their fish species in masses than let other's aquarists breed them and atleast keep some of the species alive...

It is very difficult to obtain legal permits to collect fish in Brazil. It can be done, but I know of only one person that can do it legally, and he collects mainly discus. Dozens of species in Brazil are heading for extintion because of the many dam projects currently underway, and while many people in the goverment say they care, only a handful are seriously trying to do something about it. It's the same worldwide, the big money talks.

 

[High City Rida]

I think he has both males but I'm not sure as I haven't talk with him about it. I think they are the only two in the country. I think John O'Malley(RIP) had one or two specimens as well that came from Seiichi but I'm not 100% on that. If he did who knows where they are now or if they are even alive.

I think your correct sir. And the real reason is obvious. Here in the states we think $200 - $800 is too much to spend but some of these collection trips are thousands of dollars that most average keepers feel is to much to spend. Money talks and you know the rest.

It is very difficult to obtain legal permits to collect fish in Brazil. It can be done, but I know of only one person that can do it legally, and he collects mainly discus. Dozens of species in Brazil are heading for extintion because of the many dam projects currently underway, and while many people in the goverment say they care, only a handful are seriously trying to do something about it. It's the same worldwide, the big money talks.

Very true!

 

[Scatocephalus]

OK, I spoke to Seiichi and here's the deal. My fish is the same as the Bahia. The difference? Mine are wild caught in the Sao Francisco river which runs through the Brazilian state of Bahia. The Bahia kelberi that are hitting Japan right now are pond bred. That being said, Bahia kelberi should start hitting the market in relatively large numbers as they can now legally be exported as they are a farmed fish. I suspect that within a year or two Bahia kelberi will be no more rare than other Cichla species that are currently available.

Regarding how many wild caught "Sao Francisco" kelberi are in the US... exactly 3.