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.

[More]

This entry was posted on August 1, 2014 at 2:36 PM and has received 6528 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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.

[More]

This entry was posted on July 14, 2014 at 3:04 PM and has received 5398 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

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.

[More]

This entry was posted on July 7, 2014 at 11:33 AM and has received 6568 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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.

[More]

This entry was posted on June 23, 2014 at 5:30 PM and has received 4989 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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.

[More]

This entry was posted on June 16, 2014 at 6:52 PM and has received 12035 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

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.

[More]

This entry was posted on June 9, 2014 at 8:50 AM and has received 10544 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

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.

[More]

This entry was posted on June 1, 2014 at 11:15 AM and has received 8954 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.