Keeping wild fish

[ewurm]

Wackamole - *never* release aquarium fish back into the wild, even the same body of water they came from. 1) if they are non-natives (like the cichlids and peacocks mentioned) then that is a Felony, and 2) Even native fishies can become carriers of disease in a tank and then spread it to the wild population

Onion01 - head down to the NA Native forum, check out what they have to say about keepign wild caught native fish.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[balton777]

if they get to big just release them

Telling people to it's ok to break the law will not be tolerated at MFK. LOL j/k. Actually I'm surprised it's not a more well known no-no about releasing fish back into the wild. NEVER realease a fish once it's been in your aquarium no matter how long or short a time you've had it.

 

[ewurm]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18675

Might want to read up before dumping your fish.

 

[ShadowBass]

Telling people to it's ok to break the law will not be tolerated at MFK. LOL j/k. Actually I'm surprised it's not a more well known no-no about releasing fish back into the wild. NEVER realease a fish once it's been in your aquarium no matter how long or short a time you've had it.

I didn't used to know either.

You can read all through the fishing rules for this state and never see anything that says "Don't release fish back into the wild" (Other than referring to storebought bait). The part that mentions it isn't in the fishing rules, it's in the rules about keeping captive animals, which is mostly about mammals, birds and reptiles. I wouldn't have even found it without specifically going and looking for it after hearing on message boards that it's not ok to release fish whether they're native or not.

Even then, the way the rules are written they're kind of confusing. It doesn't specifically say in big letters "DON'T RELEASE NATIVE FISH BACK TO THE WILD", there's all kinds of confusing sections about stuff that seems non-related to what you're looking for but actually is if you read the subsections.

If most states write their rules like my state it's no wonder people don't know this, lol. Combine that with the fact that most people aren't going to understand the possible ecological impact unless it's clearly explained to them in a way that makes it make sense to them and most people just aren't going to get it.

 

[guppy]

What no BB's in the bread so you can use a magnet to catch them?

guppy you didn't catch them, you ticked them off so much they bit the bait...but hey it worked.

They ended up in my hand so that seems pretty caught to me, lol. Peacock bass are the same way, just dart a lure through the cloud of fry and the adult will it.

 

[Dr Joe]

Usually it's illegal to keep them alive. You need a special permit to have thme in a tank. A fishing permit only allows you to catch and kill....even it they are "of size".

Not in Florida.

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I didn't used to know either.

You can read all through the fishing rules for this state and never see anything that says "Don't release fish back into the wild" (Other than referring to storebought bait). The part that mentions it isn't in the fishing rules, it's in the rules about keeping captive animals, which is mostly about mammals, birds and reptiles. I wouldn't have even found it without specifically going and looking for it after hearing on message boards that it's not ok to release fish whether they're native or not.

Even then, the way the rules are written they're kind of confusing. It doesn't specifically say in big letters "DON'T RELEASE NATIVE FISH BACK TO THE WILD", there's all kinds of confusing sections about stuff that seems non-related to what you're looking for but actually is if you read the subsections.

If most states write their rules like my state it's no wonder people don't know this, lol. Combine that with the fact that most people aren't going to understand the possible ecological impact unless it's clearly explained to them in a way that makes it make sense to them and most people just aren't going to get it.

It's in our Florida rules.

Write your state Fish & Wildlife to get it added/changed.
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They ended up in my hand so that seems pretty caught to me, lol. Peacock bass are the same way, just dart a lure through the cloud of fry and the adult will it.

True . Maybe you could shine for them at nite...use a figure 8 pattern...old Cherokee trick. ( you had to see the movie...'without a paddle').

Dr Joe

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[Onion01]

If anyone will tell my what to use to catch peacock bass, I will be very happy. I am writing this in a rush, because I was scouting my canal bank, and I saw what looked like a breeding pair of pbass. there was a cloud of little fish around not being eaten, so i assumed they were mates. one was colorful, with bright red fins, and the other was a dull olive color. THE MALE WAS ALMOST 2 FT LONG!!!. logically I ran inside to get my fishing gear, and played around with the fish a little. he went for bait a few times, but I am out of floaters, so it was hard to keep the hook in one place. finally, when I though I had him, the line snagged and I lost my LAST ****in hook!!!. He is still there this morning. And i am going to buy more supplies for my rod, as well as a higher test line. I took pics, but with the glare on the water, you cant see anything.

Oh, and for when I do catch him )), someone tell me how to post pics directly from the computer. Thanks!!!

 

[ShadowBass]

It's in our Florida rules.

Write your stste Fish & Wildlife to get it added/changed.

Already planning on it. My mother in law is friends with several people that work for the department of natural resources so I'm going to ask who the best person to contact would be.

I already have a few more things to ask about anyway. In general the rules here are easy to read, but a few things are hard to find or kind of screwy.

 

[Onion01]

Alright, update. My canal is teeming with breeding pairs of midas cichlids and peacock bass. I was able to hook a pbass twice, and a midas once, but all three times broke my 15lb test line. What do you suggest for these fish, cause they are big! The pbass were both over 1ft, and the midas close to it.

 

[Dr Joe]

Cast net...

If you catch them you may be killing the whole brood tho.

Dr Joe

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