Abstract:A temática das invasões biológicas tem sido muito debatida nos últimos 20 anos. Estudos demonstram que uma das principais vias de introdução de espécies aquáticas é de origem antrópica, principalmente para fins alimentícios e aquariofilia. Das 481 espécies exóticas invasoras (EEI) já identificadas no Brasil, Procambarus clarkii, conhecido como lagostim-vermelho-da-Louisiana, é uma das mais preocupantes por possuir diversas características biológicas e ecológicas que a torna um invasor perigoso. Apesar de ter s… Show more
“…The establishment of this species has already been demonstrated in Brazil ( Loureiro et al, 2015 ) with evidence of negative impacts on native fauna ( Banci et al, 2013 ) and it has been hypothesized that the introduction occurred through fish keeping ( Magalhães et al, 2005 ; Magalhães & Andrade, 2014 ). Despite imports, transportation, and commercialization of P. clarkii being prohibited in the country for more than two decades ( IBAMA, 2008 ), a recent study showed that the species is still freely commercialized by aquarium stores ( Smialoski & Almerão, 2022 ), which makes clear the ineffectiveness of this legislation.…”
Background
The use of ornamental fish as pets has important implications for the conservation of the species used in fish keeping, particularly in relation to overexploitation. Understanding ornamental fish keepers’ relationship with the hobby can provide important information for assessing the potential impacts of the activity. Here, we analyzed the profile of Brazilian ornamental fish keepers and evaluated their preferences and the implications of their choices.
Methods
Information was obtained by applying questionnaires to 906 ornamental fish keepers participating in fish keeping groups in a social network. The questionnaire contained questions about the species of fish kept (freshwater and marine), techniques used, socio-economic aspects, and associated conservation perspectives.
Results
Most ornamental fish keepers were young men (20–40 years old), with higher education and monthly income above US$ 530.00. Participants predominantly kept freshwater fish (86%), but marine fish only (5%) or both marine and freshwater hobbyists (9%) were also recorded. A total of 523 species of ornamental fish were kept, most of which comprised freshwater (76% of the total) and exotic species (73%). About a third of the fish species recorded were under national trade restrictions. In addition, about a third of ornamental fish keepers declared that they also had invertebrates. Marine aquariums require a greater financial investment, especially at the beginning, than freshwater aquariums and are also almost entirely based on exotic species. The aesthetic factor is the main motivation associated with practicing this hobby, being color and behavior key factors in choosing fish. A total of 10% of hobbyists have already released fish into the wild, highlighting concerns about potential biological invasions. There is an urgent need to enforce regulations towards restricting ornamental fish keepers’ access to threatened native species and potentially invasive species, as well as measures aimed at informing and raising hobbyists’ awareness of conservation measures related to the hobby.
“…The establishment of this species has already been demonstrated in Brazil ( Loureiro et al, 2015 ) with evidence of negative impacts on native fauna ( Banci et al, 2013 ) and it has been hypothesized that the introduction occurred through fish keeping ( Magalhães et al, 2005 ; Magalhães & Andrade, 2014 ). Despite imports, transportation, and commercialization of P. clarkii being prohibited in the country for more than two decades ( IBAMA, 2008 ), a recent study showed that the species is still freely commercialized by aquarium stores ( Smialoski & Almerão, 2022 ), which makes clear the ineffectiveness of this legislation.…”
Background
The use of ornamental fish as pets has important implications for the conservation of the species used in fish keeping, particularly in relation to overexploitation. Understanding ornamental fish keepers’ relationship with the hobby can provide important information for assessing the potential impacts of the activity. Here, we analyzed the profile of Brazilian ornamental fish keepers and evaluated their preferences and the implications of their choices.
Methods
Information was obtained by applying questionnaires to 906 ornamental fish keepers participating in fish keeping groups in a social network. The questionnaire contained questions about the species of fish kept (freshwater and marine), techniques used, socio-economic aspects, and associated conservation perspectives.
Results
Most ornamental fish keepers were young men (20–40 years old), with higher education and monthly income above US$ 530.00. Participants predominantly kept freshwater fish (86%), but marine fish only (5%) or both marine and freshwater hobbyists (9%) were also recorded. A total of 523 species of ornamental fish were kept, most of which comprised freshwater (76% of the total) and exotic species (73%). About a third of the fish species recorded were under national trade restrictions. In addition, about a third of ornamental fish keepers declared that they also had invertebrates. Marine aquariums require a greater financial investment, especially at the beginning, than freshwater aquariums and are also almost entirely based on exotic species. The aesthetic factor is the main motivation associated with practicing this hobby, being color and behavior key factors in choosing fish. A total of 10% of hobbyists have already released fish into the wild, highlighting concerns about potential biological invasions. There is an urgent need to enforce regulations towards restricting ornamental fish keepers’ access to threatened native species and potentially invasive species, as well as measures aimed at informing and raising hobbyists’ awareness of conservation measures related to the hobby.
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