I agree with you one hundred percent, but as the owner of the site I have to keep an unbiased, and informative view on all that takes place on these forums.
We have to assume, that if these fish are being taken from the wild, they will be stopped exiting the country, thus the sales will not go through. I realise this is slightly naieve of me, but none of us are in the position to comment on where these fish are supplied from. In an ideal world, as stated in my previous post:
If these fish are being brought into the country however, legally or illegally, they will be sold. Although I may not agree with "possible" wild caught fish, I would rather they were sold to individuals who are genuinely interested in the welfare and possiblity of breeding these fish., and not someone thinknig they can make a quick buck!Hopefully in a few years time, we will not be stuck with this dilema. Over the past few months the number, (Even on this forum), of fish bred in captivity has been increasing. It will take at least 1 -2 years from now, before any F2's will arrive on the market. Then we will hopefully be able to satisfy the demand both private and retail without removing the fish from the wild.
This may be a bit of a pipe-dream, but I certainly think it is worth aiming for. There are two many positive points to supply captive bred fish, and too many negative points for removing fish from the wild.
This I feel is personal choice. Whilst I would not buy one of these fish, and would prefer to never buy a wild caught zebra again, I can say this as mine are breeding. I would lvoe to stop imports of these fish from the wild, but as a group be do not have commercial power. Until this time all I can do is try and promote responsible husbandry and breeding.
The water is also muddied, by the possiblility of increase mining, and contruction of the Belo Monte damn. The hypocsisy of banning a fish that has the possiblity of losing it's natural habitat.
I will stop my rambling now, and I appologise if anyone has taken offence or ill-meaning.
rob
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