Habitattitude

[AquaTamer]

Anybody heard anything about this? I was just reading about it in the free flyer called SeaScope issued by Aquarium Systems and lounging on the counters of LFS (Live For $).
This is an insulting and is probably one of the most stupid things I have ever read in this hobby!

Example: "Many times the source of the initial introduction of the invasive species is not known but for aquatic species the aquarium and water garden hobbies are often, and many times unfairly, blamed."
And later also written: "In general Habitattitude encourages you to prevent the introduction of non-native species by not disposing of unwanted aquatic species in the nearest body of water. Instead, steps one should take include contacting a retailer to see if they would take the specimen..."

IS THIS THE MOST ASSININE THING I HAVE EVER READ? Probably not. This kind of thing is as forgettable as it is stupid in the first place and I probably forgot the most stupid thing I've ever read a long time ago!

[greenbean36191]

I fail to see what is so assinine about this. ???

[Peter Eichler]

Yeah... I don't get it. Did someone forget to take their meds today?

[moggyhill]

ok, what was wrong with what was said in the flyer

[needyreefer]

I'm not seeing what is wrong with what it read?

[romunov]

Introducing invasive foregin species is a problem all over the globe.

[anthworks]

Yeah. Like the Snake heads in Maryland waters. Or Oscars in the Everglades. Both of these cases was hobbiest releasing fish that got to big for there aquarium into local bodies of water. Its a real problem. Especially the snake head in that they can walk on land to next pond, lake or bay and start a new family of 5000 or so.

[Steven Pro]

For additional information, see here http://www.habitattitude.net/

[Pike]

It's common sense. Are you in agreement or do you think it's nonsense?

The Volitian Lionfish off the coast of North & South Carolina would seem to indicate otherwise. Spanish Mackerel & Dolphin (the fish) populations are declining off the coast here because the invasive species are out-competing them for food.

All because some dink in Miami poured his tank into the ocean. (a supposition, albeit a logical one)

[moggyhill]

Oh now, don't blame it on Miami, I always thought it was someone in the Carolina's who started this whole thing

[greenbean36191]

All because some dink in Miami poured his tank into the ocean. (a supposition, albeit a logical one)

Actually, I've heard that Hurricane Andrew released them when it broke a large tank in a beachfront home (not that that report is any more reliable). I highly doubt that a couple of lions from one tank gave rise to a breeding population of lions as far away as the Carolinas in a little over 10 years though. I think they had some other help from some other lion owners a little farther north. It is possible that some of the offspring from the original pair rode the Gulf Stream north though.

[Pike]

Blame Canada then

But seriously, it's quite a concern off the carolina coast. Divers are encouraged to kill every one they see!!!

[anthworks]

Originally posted by greenbean36191
I highly doubt that a couple of lions from one tank gave rise to a breeding population of lions as far away as the Carolinas in a little over 10 years though. I think they had some other help from some other lion owners a little farther north.

What they gave the Lions Viagra?

[greenbean36191]

There are also several places in central and south Florida where you can see exotic butterflyfish, angelfish and tangs.

[Pike]

I forgot to mention, the lionfish has been observed migrating up the east coast over the past 10 years. A friend caught one deep sea fishing out of Jacksonville about 5 years ago.

When they began showing up between Sea Island & Edisto, the NC Div. of Fish & Wildlife placed them on an invasive species "watch list". IE they started keeping an eye out for them in particular.

Well they showed up! This summer I wouldn't be suprised if the fish & game guys in VA & MD begin seeing them :/

In 5 more years, Paul B might be catching them off the coast of NY... who knows.

There are yellow tangs in the carribean, I've seen the pictures.

[greenbean36191]

They've already been caught in NY.

Another good example is the modified strain of Caulerpa taxifolia that has taken over huge areas of the Mediterranean and was traced back to an aquarium. It's killing off almost all of the native plant and animal life in the areas it covers. It has also been introduced in California, but they got it under control (as far as they know) before it got a foothold. That's why Caulerpa is illegal in Cali.

Here is a link to a site with pics taken in FL of exotic fish. http://www.reef.org/exotic/

[H2OLUVSME]

there are hundreads of aquatic plants taking over lake and river banks in the carolins and FL that are very common in the FW hobby also. it happens all over im sure, as greenbean pointed out in CA. its rediculous IMO that people would put them in the nearest body of water instead of returning it to a pet store or giving it up to another hobbiest. its a problem thats going to get progressivly worse IMO, as more and more uninformed people get into the hobby.

[moggyhill]

diving and catching the "invasives" is really a good deal all the way around.

[AquaTamer]

This is all BS! Traced back to an aquarium? Just how is that done? Prove it. It never ceases to amaze how quickly a bunch of 'talk about what you don't know's' will adopt the most ludicrous 'urban myths'. For years it was said, and I dare say, still is, that NY sewers are full of Alligators. Someone recently did a study to determine just the voracity of this question and yes---They did not find any alligators! Do you really think that your aquarium fish, that you have so much trouble keeping alive in your controlled (matching the species proper survival conditions) can not only live but, find mates and spawn in an cold hostile and polluted area like has been mentioned? That's stupid and anyone that helps this stupid, insulting organization propagate this myth is a damn fool! Why do you want to take the blame? These problems are created by large shipping and other artificial systems created by large uncaring businesses. They also seem to have enough money to spend to try and create the subdifuge necessary to avoid costly regulations being impossed on them by governmental agencies! I don't like being asked to supporta so-called organization that on one hand says the hobby is being wrongly accussed and on the other hand offers advice not to cause the problem in the first place. Am I the only one around here with the intelligence to see the hypocrasy of this "campaign"?
I WANT TO KNOW WHO IS RUNNING THIS MOVEMENT AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT! Who are we really dealing with? What's the real agenda!
I don't know what makes me more mad, the original hypocracy or the fools that perpetuate it!

[moggyhill]

I quess I must be one of thoses damn fools
gee whiz aqua tamer take a chill pill

[Pike]

Aqua Tamer, Better get out your tinfoil hat.... The Trilateral Commision has corrupted all of the following organizations!!

http://www.cqdjournal.com/Hot_Events...isconf2-25.htm

http://www.nccos.noaa.gov/stressors/...s/science.html

http://www.niiss.org/cwis438/niiss/lionfish.asp

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/dan..._volitans.html

http://www.uncw.edu/nurc/research/pr...ase_july04.pdf

http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trel05-2.pdf

My GOD! They have even infiltrated the Military!!!

A lionfish IS NOT a Zebra Mussel.

[AquaTamer]

BTW---greenbean (marine biology student)---we all know what side your bread is buttered on. And, we also know, you know how to keep it buttered. College-the great corruptor of interested caretakers.

[moggyhill]

[AquaTamer]

And moogyhill-stop taking the pills you've been taking and wake up and smell the coffee. You may like having your freedoms taken from you, but, I assure you---I don't!

[moggyhill]

I like coffee