Tropical fish would be illegal?????

[Nickintex]

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr996/text

If this passes, we will all be criminals, unless the only fish you own are goldfish!

[mistahoo]

I guess I'm a criminal then.

[moganman]

Not really. There has to be a certain risk determination. Tangs are incapable of surviving in our waters during winter. Anyone with any knowledge wouldn't ban those fish after determining they aren't Injurious.

[Nickintex]

Not really. There has to be a certain risk determination. Tangs are incapable of surviving in our waters during winter. Anyone with any knowledge wouldn't ban those fish after determining they aren't Injurious.

Did you read it? There is is a list of "acceptable" species, and no type of tang is on it.

[moganman]

Yeah I read it but I also read the section that talks about risk determination and after the risk has been determined, the actions placed to control those species that are considered "Injurious". I just don't see how tangs can harm our waters. There's a very low range in the water temperature there so I don't see how they would ban those fish here. At least no one with any sense. I guess if they do ban then the market will go crazy.

[mistahoo]

A lot of lost jobs and businesses.

[mistahoo]

Better stock up on those exotic goldfish before they get stupid expensive!

[moganman]

What's the point? I don't even get it. Most fish we keep are herbivores. Not like we all keep snake heads. I bet these people don't even know about tropical fish.

[mistahoo]

Herbivores are just as deadly to the ecosystem as carnivores... Jus sayin

[moganman]

Yeah but it's a fact that carnivores are exponentially more productive than herbivores. Look at how fast the snake heads reproduce. Tropheus do what 10-12 on average? Lol. Not like they would have a problem wiping out the tropheus population if they actually became "invasive"

[mnemenoi]

There was a discussion of this on the Anubias Design yahoo group a few months back and they brought up the risk determination angle. Just imagine how many folks are willing to spend the thousands to get a species listed, so everyone at that point could import and sell them. It would take years of study and still might be rejected due to the committee being comprised of folks that have no knowledge of fish whatsoever. It would be in their interest to not approve anything, as if something did get through and survive it would be their job. It also does not take into account unnamed or undescribed species, such as the various shrimp and snails that move quickly into the market or the L# plecos. Each one would require thousands of research and study before granting approval by the way it is written.

[moganman]

Exactly.

[crazy42bmx]

Dam, i got 12 tanks of illegal fish now. Were all criminals. Lol. Its gonna be pretty bad when u meet to sell "illegal" fish to a buddy , but u can have pot be legal. Hahaha

[mistahoo]

Silly government!

[Gene D]

The good news here is the gridlock we have in congress and the inability of the two parties to compromise. This bill is strictly is along partisan lines.

ALL 29 cosponsors are Democrats and this bill was introduced in the House of Representatives. The Republicans have the majority and will not allow this to pass. It looks like the hobby and hobbyists will actually benefit from gridlock.