It seems that we are in need of a better labeling system, or a least a better method of carrying information along with a fish. By the time it hits the lfs, most people have no idea where a fish came from, unless of course it's a Frontosa. Perhaps a boundary between consumer hobbyist fish and scientific hobbyist fish. I'm sure the more fanatical hobbyists who know their suppliers get all the info they want, but for people like me, that's not so easy. I'm in Arizona, our fish trade is in a sad state, to pun somewhat intentionally. My access to fish, not to mention information on said fish, tends to be quite limited. I would think the answer is to obtain specimens through communities like MFK, but even then it's a matter of honesty.
The importance of collection points
- Thread starter Aribenlaw
- Start date
Aribenlaw;1096581; said:
Fish obtained from an LFS will almost never be of a specific locality and never trusted (Some good local breeders do sell to higher grade stores however so pick your LFS carefully and get to know them). If your looking for such fish join an Association and network. ACA (American cichlid assoc.) may be a good start for you if your interested in Cichlids. You should also see if there is a local Hobbyist society near you..
Specialty dealers are also always an option but be careful of who you deal with...
More and more fish farms are hybridising and selectively altering species for such things as long fins, albinism, leucaustic, enhanced colours etc so I guess collection points are a way of trying to maintain some wild caught/natural fish traits.
Some fish collectors will deliberately falsify their collection points to protect their livelihood. Others may misname fish varieties to get a better price. This can be done at any step of the process to get to your LFS. Private breeders and even experienced fishkeepers may have been unknowingly mislabelling fish for years. I often hear purists say they NEED to keep the gene pool pure in case they need to return fish back to the wild one day but I think this would be a desperate measure.
Some fish collectors will deliberately falsify their collection points to protect their livelihood. Others may misname fish varieties to get a better price. This can be done at any step of the process to get to your LFS. Private breeders and even experienced fishkeepers may have been unknowingly mislabelling fish for years. I often hear purists say they NEED to keep the gene pool pure in case they need to return fish back to the wild one day but I think this would be a desperate measure.
Whenever I hear the "back to the wild" argument people invoke things like Lake Victoria. I understand the sentiment, but how exactly would someone propose to replenish nature?
