Captive care our Captive care our issues.issues.

Natural BiodiversityNatural Biodiversity• Tropical Rainforests around the world especially those in the equatorial belt Tropical Rainforests around the world especially those in the equatorial belt

produce large and abundant fish species community’s.produce large and abundant fish species community’s.[1]• One species of ornamental fish the Cardinal Tetra is exported in large quantities One species of ornamental fish the Cardinal Tetra is exported in large quantities

from Rainforest streams in the Amazon, South America per annum from Rainforest streams in the Amazon, South America per annum approximately 40 million Cardinals are exported a year 1980. approximately 40 million Cardinals are exported a year 1980.

• As more people demand exotica in their pets the demands of the resource As more people demand exotica in their pets the demands of the resource increases, and finally, the only way to supply the luxury demand may be through increases, and finally, the only way to supply the luxury demand may be through Aquaculture.Aquaculture.[2]

• At other times, husbandry techniques or alternative forms of Agriculture At other times, husbandry techniques or alternative forms of Agriculture practices can be educated.practices can be educated.[3]

• Over use of natural resources has led to the secondary importance of conserving Over use of natural resources has led to the secondary importance of conserving our natural stocks reproducing conditions that are variable to the natural our natural stocks reproducing conditions that are variable to the natural biotope have been difficult to ascertain and hence the supply and demand for biotope have been difficult to ascertain and hence the supply and demand for the product world wide derives from natural ‘wild’ stocks such is the case with the product world wide derives from natural ‘wild’ stocks such is the case with the Cardinal Tetra.[4]the Cardinal Tetra.[4]

•[1] Fish Communities in Tropical Freshwaters, Lowe McConnell [1] Fish Communities in Tropical Freshwaters, Lowe McConnell

• [2] Managing Our Wildlife Resources Third Edition Stanley H. Anderson.[2] Managing Our Wildlife Resources Third Edition Stanley H. Anderson.• [3] Managing Our Wildlife Resources; Forms of Management. Third Edition [3] Managing Our Wildlife Resources; Forms of Management. Third Edition

Stanley H. AndersonStanley H. Anderson• [4] Aquatic Sciences; Achieving Sustainable Freshwater Systems, A web of [4] Aquatic Sciences; Achieving Sustainable Freshwater Systems, A web of

Connections. Marjorie M Holland Elizabeth R. Blood and Lawrence R. Shafter.Connections. Marjorie M Holland Elizabeth R. Blood and Lawrence R. Shafter.

Water Quality Water Quality Parameters;Parameters;

• Water Quality Parameters;Water Quality Parameters;• Ph: The potential hydrogen regulates Ph: The potential hydrogen regulates

acidity and alkalinity levels our most acidity and alkalinity levels our most favorable condition for keeping favorable condition for keeping Aquarium fishes is approximately 6.8-Aquarium fishes is approximately 6.8-7.2 pH For the breeding of Cardinal 7.2 pH For the breeding of Cardinal tetras lower ph is required (6 to tetras lower ph is required (6 to 6.5pH).6.5pH).

• Temperature;Temperature;• Temperature regulates a healthy Temperature regulates a healthy

metabolism the best optimal metabolism the best optimal temperatures are approximately temperatures are approximately between 22-28 degrees Celsius. between 22-28 degrees Celsius. Temperature for Cardinals should be Temperature for Cardinals should be kept in their temperature range 24 kept in their temperature range 24 Degrees CelsiusDegrees Celsius

• Dissolved Oxygen;Dissolved Oxygen;• Important in order to find the ratio of Important in order to find the ratio of

organisms a volume of water can organisms a volume of water can sustain in the biological system and sustain in the biological system and ‘Aquarium’‘Aquarium’

• By having an Idea of water quality By having an Idea of water quality parameters in the manipulated parameters in the manipulated Aquarium we may reap a greater Aquarium we may reap a greater success in conserving our Biodiversity success in conserving our Biodiversity

Other fish species Other fish species Resource;Resource;

• Not only is the Cardinal Tetra exported Not only is the Cardinal Tetra exported abundantly but other aquatic organisms are abundantly but other aquatic organisms are not being correctly maintained are depleting not being correctly maintained are depleting natural resources a conservational list known natural resources a conservational list known as CITES[1] has been produced protecting as CITES[1] has been produced protecting any fish species that are threatened by any fish species that are threatened by biological disturbance.biological disturbance.

•[1] Advances in Animal Conservation Edited [1] Advances in Animal Conservation Edited by J.P Hearn and J.K.Hodges Clarendon Press by J.P Hearn and J.K.Hodges Clarendon Press Oxford 1985.Oxford 1985.

Corals;Corals;• Cyanide fishing which uses poison Cyanide fishing which uses poison

to stun and disorientate fish to stun and disorientate fish before scooping them up still alive before scooping them up still alive for the tropical aquarium trade or for the tropical aquarium trade or for live fish restaurants in Hong for live fish restaurants in Hong Kong and other Far Eastern Cities. Kong and other Far Eastern Cities. Dinner is selected while its Dinner is selected while its swimming in a tank. The trade is swimming in a tank. The trade is highly profitable since a live fish is highly profitable since a live fish is worth many times more than a worth many times more than a dead one. Cyanide kills the coral dead one. Cyanide kills the coral polyps, the symbiotic algae and polyps, the symbiotic algae and other creatures.[1]other creatures.[1]

•[1] Journal Coral grief; Oliver [1] Journal Coral grief; Oliver TickelTickel

• The following resources have been The following resources have been provided to you by Aquanet Place provided to you by Aquanet Place 1416-1422 RO Malvern Rd Glen 1416-1422 RO Malvern Rd Glen Iris 3146Iris 3146