USGS Conducts Non-Native Fish Slam in Florida
This week USGS scientists are in three Florida counties leading experts in the semi-annual Fish Slam, a scientific scavenger hunt for non-native freshwater fishes.
Concerns Raised Over CITES Plans for Marine Aquarium Trade
OFI and other organizations object to CITES plan to study the trade and conservation of marine ornamental fish, noting a rushed timetable and lack of robust inquiry being proposed.
New Fiji Cube Aquariums - The Complete Series
The new package aquarium series from Fiji Cube includes low-iron glass aquarium, complete with stand and sump.
ORA Unleashes Zombie Clownfish on the Masses
It’s taken several years, but Robert King’s Zombie Albino Black Clownfish will now see wider distribution as a result of breeding efforts by ORA.
Characterizing the US Trade in Lionfishes
The Quarter 3, 2018 publication funded by the Dr. Junda Lin Memorial Fund for Publishing Open Access Marine Aquarium Research is now freely available to the public as an open-access article.
Frank says:
Hey Matt, Is it advisable to keep Lemon and Sapphire Damselfish together in a 100 Gal reef, or do I need to choose? Thank you.Matt Pedersen says:
Trey, I believe you're making a false equivalency between the "Parrot Cichlid" and this fish. The Parrot Cichlid is a hybrid between at least two rather disparate cichlid species, which features numerous physical deformations, although nothing nearly as severe as something like a Bubble Eye or Celestial Eye Goldfish. Meanwhile, this "Zombie" Black Albino started as pure Darwin Black Ocellaris; the original foundation stock simply had a hidden recessive gene. This is a single gene mutation, which can easily be understood and controlled by any breeder who understands high-school level genetics. Nevermind that forms of albinism are rather routine mutation found in the wild on occasion, and even in our human species.Jeff W. says:
I don’t have a problem with the production of new color strains through selective breeding. I prefer to own the wild types, but that’s just me. But I agree that the propagation of fish with known health concerns is irresponsible and casts a shadow over the hobby. We already don’t know what other health problems some of these mutants may have involving systems that are not externally evident (e.g., immunological issues, skeletal malformations), or if their life spans might be adversely affected. This is similar to knowingly breeding deaf Dalmatians for profit.Trey Tabb says:
I suppose it's a nifty experiment to make fish like these, but to mass produce half-blind fish is just cruel & stupid beyond measure. Congratulations; you've created the Red Parrot Cichlid of the Clownfish world.Matt Pedersen says:
Bob, those sentiments are very appreciated, thank you my friend!Corals says:
My apologies...I should have read all the messages in entirety before leaving my comment. I didn't realize Orlando voluntarily chose not to renew his membership and wrote about it. I assumed Jeff shared Orlando's personal info to the readers..Sorry, Jeff!