NWAAS

[etheonut]

Michael and I were driving from fish store to fish store after the meeting discussing many things, as we often do when driving. One of the topics of our discussion was one of having a club project. We thought that adopting a species of fish to maintain, as a club, would be a good project.

Usually a species that is maintained is done so because it is extinct or threatened in the wild. Michael's goodeids are a great example of this. We wouldn't have to pick a species such as this, but I don't think it gives more feeling to the project if we do. I am getting ahead of myself though. Here is the idea.

Everyone in the club who elects to participate sets aside at least one ten gallon aquarium to keep a single species of fish. The species would be one agreed upon by the club. We keep track of parents and fry and try to maximize genetic diversity of our population. This is a long term project to attempt to maintain a particular species in captivity.

The advantage of doing this project is that it increase club cohesiveness, it is ecologically friendly, it teaches longterm maintenance, and if we pick a desirable species, we can sell excess fish for club funds.

I will set this note up as a poll, because I can. Let us know one way or the other if you are interested in trying out a program like this. For the moment think about what species (or quality of species) you would like to see the club try and maintain. If there is enough I will post a note asking for suggestions. Don't worry about the monetary complcations of this project. We have a couple ideas in that department also.

Kevin

[HiroPro]

I think that's a great idea. The perfect excuse for me to set up another tank!
For some reason, I can't vote on the poll , but count me in.

[etheonut]

Since we are seeing a strong positive response to this idea (6 positive votes) at this point, I would like to start the next phase.

Please post ideas for species of fish that you would like to see maintained by this project. Ideally we will end up picking just one and maintaining it, but if we get multiple great ideas who knows what will happen.

Here are some basic guidelines for fish in the project.

The fish should have an adult size that would make it suitable for a ten (maximum 20) gallon aquarium.

The fish should not be more than moderately difficult to keep alive.

The fish should be moderately easy to breed, such as many of the cichlids or live bearers.

If you have any ideas please feel free to post them. Also feel free to critique the advantages and disadvantages of other people's suggestions. Lets do keep it civil though.

Kevin

[HiroPro]

I'm going to suggest a fish I've been interested in since seeing it:

Celestichthys margaritatus - Celestial Pearl Danio; aka Galaxy Rasbora


"The Celestial Pearl Danio, Celestichthys margaritatus, often referred to in the aquarium trade as Galaxy rasbora or Microrasbora. It has so far been found only in a very small area east of Inle Lake at an altitude of over 3280.84 ft (1000 m). The fish lives in relatively cool, alkaline water. Discovered in 2006 the species quickly appeared in the aquarium trade where its small size and bright colors made it an instant hit. It is the only species in the genus Celestichthys. "

"Within six months of its appearance in the aquarium trade, the species had become so rare that collectors were obtaining only a "few dozen fish per day". Whilst some aquarists have managed to breed the fish successfully, almost all the fishes currently offered for sale are wild-caught. British fishkeeping magazine Practical Fishkeeping is currently asking that only aquarists prepared to breed the fish should buy any fishes they see for sale, to reduce pressure on the wild stocks by diminishing the demand for them in the UK. However, since then, new populations of this fish have been found and the Myanmar Department of Fisheries has banned further exports"

[sumpnfishy]

I think those are a great fish to maintain, but I have two comments.
1. The first is not directly relative to the proposed program, but the condition of the wild populations has been greatly exaggerated and it really isn't all that bad.
2. This one is more applicable: these are not a beginner fish as far as breeding goes. In fact, though very experienced hobbyists have had success with it, it still is not widely bred even by those specialized in egg scatterers. For this reason I don't know that it would be the best candidate for a group project.
IMHO

[dennysfishroom]

Your suggestion fits all of my criteria. Are they available? Denny

[HiroPro]

I wasn't sure on the Celestial Pearl as to it's official status as endangered or not. I've read that they're are still finding different locations in the wild where they can be found. I though it might be a good candidate since it has been over-harvested in the initial location and since it is becoming increasingly popular in the trade.


An alternate proposal would be:

Tanichthys micagemmae - Vietnamese White Cloud Minnow; Sparkle-eye Whitecloud

This one is listed on the The Aquarium Hobby C.A.R.E.S. Preservation Program Priority List.

[sumpnfishy]

I'm quite partial to livebearers, but even if I wasn't I would say that livebearers are the best bet.
Why? Cichlids are great, but most that do well in small tanks are a bit harder to breed. Egg scatterers generally require separate conditioning and breeding tanks as well as VERY small foods for fry.
Some of the killifish would work well but do require a bit of extra work.
On the other hand, many livebearers are easily bred and raised in a small tank, and there are TONS of them that are dependent on the hobby for their long term success, and even survival.
My best suggestion: Zoogoneticus tequila. Extinct in the wild and fairly easily acquired.
Michael

[Bobby@W.U.W]

We have and can get The Celestial Pearl Danio.

[Colby]

Count Me In.
Celestial Pearl Danios sound good

[etheonut]

Both the celestial danio (galaxy rasbora) and the vietnamese whitecloud are good candidates for a species maintenance program involving advanced hobbyist. One of the requirements for our project is a fairly easy species to maintain. Though I would like to try hand at both of the species mentioned, I know that I would not be able to maintain them for an extended period of time, like generations. Both of these species are excellent choices for a "Breeders Challenge" which could be an upcoming project for the members of NWAAS. Right now the challenge is to find a species that almost any member of this organization could breed and maintain with a moderate amount of effort. Michael's suggestion of the teguila goodeid is a good choice. Remember, the challenge here is to keep this species alive in our tanks for many many generations.

Keep the suggestions flowing.

Kevin

[HiroPro]

What sources are there that list these species? I've been looking at the CARES site and searching for more info.

[etheonut]

Good question, searching through the CARES information is a good place to start. Other orginazations website: AKA, ALA, ACA, NANFA, etc might hold information for this.

Personal experience is also a good source for information. For instance, I might suggest that we try Endler's Livebearer based on personal experience. It is a small fish so that a colongy can easily be raised in a ten gallon aquarium. It is a livebearer, so breeding and raising fry is relatively easy, and it is colorul so that it is attractive to people who aren't familiar with it. I would have to do some web searching, but I believe the wild populations of this fish are not in good shape even the captive populations are suffering from hybridization wtih guppies.

Kevin

[sumpnfishy]

It is however VERY difficult to get fish that are known to be true endler's and not a "hybrid". Good fish though.

[HiroPro]

I've been looking at Endler varieties recently and agree it would be hard to find "true" wild species. There was on site that claimed he had them. I'll see if I can dig that up again.