The RED List of Fish, Inverts, and Corals

[Bell Guy]

help a lot!!!!!!!!!!!

[Myka]

For those that are interested, I (as well as some other members who have volunteered) will be working on a CanReef version of a red list designed to help newbies make informed decisions about stocking their tank. Hopefully some more experienced reef keepers may even learn a thing or two as well. It will take some time to get the list, which I remind you guys is not a be all end all list.

Reef keeping would never advance if there weren't people out there willing to take some chances and push the envelope, but (imo) many of those attempts should be left for the more advanced aquarists who have a better chance of success. I think it would be great if more LFSs were proactive on this subject and only brought "red list" livestock in on special order. I think it starts with us, the reef keepers.

[no_bs]

I was looking for info on my fish today and found this page. It is a begining.

www.iucnredlist.org

[phillybean]

Well I figure I'll chime in...

I currently have a CBB, Cleaner Wrasse and Sandsifting Star. I have two Percs, not sure if they were wild caught or captive bred. I also have a Naso in a 75 which some people say it too small for him. Currently, all of them are healthy, eating well and disease free. I'll consider all of them to be a success after a years time.

I think it is important to be a responsible reefer, however at the end of the day, if I see any item in a store that looks unhealthy and I feel I have a chance of saving it, I'll do it.

If I see something at the store that I've wanted for awhile and it is healthy and eating, I'll do it as well, as long as I feel I am capable and my tank is capable of supporting it. That's why I don't have a Mandarin Dragonet yet, but I plan to add one in the future.

The only way to change what fish are on the market or not, imo at least, is to work with the government, CITIES, to stop them from issuing permits to import/export certain fish, inverts and corals. If there is enough scientific evidence to support it, although it may be a lot of work, that is the best way to go about it. Between posters here and on other popular message boards, starting a petition to outlaw the importation of certain fish/inverts/coral shouldn't be overly difficult and a letter from one or more marine biologists would help.