Carp species such as Koi and Goldfish are susceptible to several serious pathogens including SVC and KHV. Sooner or later, anybody who keeps fish should start looking into how to integrate biosecurity measures to ensure the long term health and success of their tanks. What exactly is biosecurity? Simply put, it is a fancy term for how to minimize the risk of introducing diseases to your fish. For the large scale suppliers of ornamental fish, biosecurity is a never ending concern. Fish farms and wholesalers have lost their entire inventories, and sometimes even their businesses, as the result of pathogens quickly rampaging through their fish. Does the time and care that these companies put towards this mean that you are completely safe and never have to worry about it? Unfortunately not.
Biosecurity for the Retailer and Hobbyist
Tank Raised Clownfish
Aug 19
Tank Raised Clownfish
A Brief Overview
When it comes to captive breeding, there has still been relatively little success when compared to breeding freshwater fish. This is due, in large part, to the significantly more complex life cycle of marine fish in which most species will hatch from eggs into what is known as a pelagic larval stage. During this phase, the fish larvae are almost completely helpless, floating in the current and eating whatever microorganisms happen to pass closely enough for them to grab. Replicating the precise conditions that allow these larvae to survive until they are ready to settle to the bottom and metamorphose into their final form is often still a challenge that, for many fish, nobody knows the solution for. However, in recent years there have been several notable breakthroughs in the culture of marine organisms, and perhaps none of these are as impressive as the proliferation of captive bred clownfish.
The Lionfish Ban
Aug 1
The Lionfish BanWhat is it and what does it mean? |
On August 1, 2014, regulations put in place by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will make it illegal to import any lionfish from the Pterois genus from any out of state source into Florida. This limits hobbyists, retailers, wholesalers, and research institutions here to only being able to keep or transport those lionfish that can be collected from waters within the state of Florida. There are widespread implications of this ruling ranging from the concrete and immediate to the hypothetical and theoretical. Below, we will take a look at why this ruling was passed, how it affects us now, and what it could lead to in the future.
As our access to a world-wide pool of knowledge and information grows, so does our awareness of the global implications of our choices and actions. This has led to an ever increasing focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness. Increasingly, we are needing to examine our impact as consumers as well as our impact as an industry. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer or solution to the problem of being sustainable, but let's take a look at where the ornamental fish industry currently stands, and where it appears to be headed.
When it comes to choosing which animal is right for you, the best thing one can do is to do research ahead of time in order to become knowledgeable and prepared. Often, you will have a general idea of what kind of animal you want, but it is important to keep in mind that what you think you want may not actually be what is best for you. For example, I personally would love a pair of Dwarf Caiman, but I accept that there is no way that I could currently care for these animals and that it would be unfair for me to even try. It is imperative to ask questions of yourself and examine what qualities you are looking for and what potential issues you should stay away from. There are many facets to consider when researching your next pet, but these are some of what we believe are the most important.
Keeping Lionfish
Jun 23
There are many reasons why people choose to keep aquariums, but for many, the beauty and grace of a fish gliding through the water is an integral pleasure in the hobby. With its ornately flowing fins and delicate appearance, this is perhaps no better example of this than the lionfish of the subfamily Pteroinae. However, despite their appearance, these species are far from being the fragile creatures they might seem on first glance.
One of the topics that is constantly debated among freshwater aquarists is what role, if any, should salt play in successful aquariums. For every person who adamantly declares that every aquarium should routinely have salt added there is another person who argues that you should never add salt to a freshwater aquarium. A third group of people state that salt should only be used as treatment for specific problems while a fourth group throws up their hands in despair not knowing what to think anymore. At Segrest Farms, this is our philosophy on the subject, and please note that some of this will be perhaps over simplified to not scare away those who are chemistry averse.
Aquariums can make fantastic additions to our lives. They can be fascinating and beautiful, and with care and planning can exemplify the intersection of art and life. Setting up a first aquarium is a time filled with excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, a number of people will fall victim to poor planning or bad advice, have a terrible experience, and give up on the world of fish keeping forever. If you are just starting your first tank, or are trying to help guide someone else with their first tank, here are some common mistakes that can result in frustration or even complete failure.
Venturing into the world of aquariums offers the opportunity to experience a small slice of the world that most will never get to see otherwise. From the rivers of South America, to the lakes of Africa, to the reefs of Australia, there are complex and fascinating ecosystems that we can bring into our homes. While I expect most of our readers are well-versed in at least some aspect of fish keeping, we all began somewhere, so we will try to share some of our experience to help newcomers as they enter this exciting hobby.