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The use of nets like that are to allow smaller fish to swim through so over fishing doesn't occure. And there are always fish left to breed. It has nothing to do with them not being able to transport younger fish. And like andrew i have also heard that younger fish ship better than adults although i have no experience in shipping fish of any ages so i cannot say wether it is true or not.[/quote]
I'm not saying the contrary...just trying to find some logic behind the comments regarding selling young fry.
So, the exportation of L046's was prohibited due to the over-harvesting of such species in the Xingu river, to the point of potential extinction. Now that is a well-known fact. So, what does overharvesting due to the Zebra population?...it takes the adults & leave the helpless fry to fend for themselves. That means that potentially these young fry would not reach adulthood; thus the ban exists.
So...now the adult Zebras existing in private aquariums can be a source of helping the species make a comeback...if done responsibly. If adults are allowed to breed, the healthy fry sold to new aquarists, who will further breed them when they reach adulthood,...then L046's have a chance.
The key word is "healthy fry". I've had fish since I was a kid. I taught my own children about aquariums. I guess my favorite pets are discus...and its always been the case that the stronger & bigger fish that you stock your aquariums with are the ones that fare better in the long run.
My daughter breeds & sells AKC Mini Pinschers. She takes the time to show them in contests & earn her share of Blue Ribbons. People from far away buy her litter versus buying from a local Pet Shop, who are stocked by unscrupulous "puppy mill" owners.
My fish mentor was and still is Jack Wattley, from Wattley Discus. Years ago I would pick my own fish from his tanks & he would sell them at quarter size, not dime size..no matter what the money. It seems to me that a few Zebra breeders are into this for a quick buck, thus creating a "zebra mill"... and that is a very scary thought. IMHO.
From my own experience, the survival rate of Zebras sold at less than an inch is around 60%-80%, depending on the situation. Again, I just received some 1"+ zebras, with 100% survival rate. If somebody can point out to me a source that says that selling very young fry is better than selling them at an older, stronger stage, then I would like to know, other than "I heard, somebody said".
Until then, I'll stick to 1"+ and at least 6 months old, as a rule of thumb.