The future of the Hobby

[briztoon]

I'm sure by now most of us have heard/read about the possible impact of the new quarentine legislation will have on our section of the hobby.

I have been thinking that it would be a good idea for us to put up a proper breeders registry, and look into the possibilty of members setting up little state/city/town organised hobbiest co-ops.

It won't be good for the future if we are just trading and selling to other like minded hobbiests on the few "dedicated" dwarf cichlid forums.

I do not know if any/many LFS will close becuase of the higher associated costs with importing fish. I do know it will be a shame if apistos are no longer able to be bought in a LFS.

[Hassles]

Just cconsider that I sell or swap most of my Apistpgramma to like minded private individuals such as myself. Why ? because many LFS consider Apistos to be a 'specialist fish' and wont buy / stock them. Oh sure they'll buy anything for a couple of bucks each. I used to keep A.macmasteri, A.hongsloi and A.borelli, Apistogramma species that can be considered common. You don't have to look too hard or wait too lomg to find them. I off-loaded these species to make room for less common species. I now keep A.huascar and I am not aware of any other individual keeping this specie but I do know that knowbody is interested in them so put things into perspective.

When I started breeding A.juruensis I knew of no other with this specie. I now know they are being kept in at least 3 states, not entirely, but partly, because of that original 2 pairs I sourced. I am now keen to source new blood for the colony. I know people who have species of Apisto I do not have so I will try to source something else again knowing that I can source fish from them down the track. If the new quarrantine legislation goes ahead our existent fish stocks will become increasingly important and we breeders will be increasingly dependent upon one another to source new gentetic strains for our colonies and we do this believe me.

There is a breeders register already in place at this forum

Consider another perspective - yes, we may loose many of of LFS, have our options greatly diminished and the cost escalate but....there are those out there who sole aquatic efforts are trying to keep endangered native species alive (Eg: Honey Blue-Eye) and in the hobby such as many of the Rainbowfish species. I think a few years down the track some of these endangered fish will only exist in the hobby. The threat to many of these endangered species is urbanisation and pollution. These poeple are less concerned about this legislation than we are.

Personally, I will be greatly saddened if I can no longer wish for that one Apisto I have been waiting years for and many of we Apisto keepers have a wish list at least a few species long.

Anybody else keeping A.alacrina ? ? ?

take care

[Rod]

Anybody else keeping A.alacrina ? ? ?


No....but I'd like too! :wink:

I'd suggest the major problem will be fish from Asia sources.....may not be a problem from Germany???