Recent content by MandarinFish

I have requested copies of the published research on Hawaii fish populations. Steve, I share some frustration of yours with NGO/NPO organizations, but you can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I emailed Rainforest Action Network to have them send me info on locating reclaimed wood for...

Lovely. I wrote up an extended response, my DSL service sux, and the message got erased. Here's why I don't trust people in the food-fish industry to give scientific advice - http://scicom.ucsc.edu/SciNotes/0201/lo/seafood/ With all due respect, have you ever been a researcher for a...

Steve- you are informed about the many species in the trade threatened by innumerable bad practices. I realize you see many, many zebrasoma flavescens in wholesaling. Everyone here probably realizes they have drastically higher survival rates than acanthurus leucosternon. But the Oryctolagus...

Climate change is not out of our control, my friend. We are the ones changing the climate. Global warming is caused greatly by fossil fuel consumption. When we want to help the reef? We can trade in a Hummer for a Prius. Or any similar type of effort. As we know, America is the largest...

I feel very strongly that it is up to the hobby to help locate, identify, preserve, and captive propagate reef animals. Yes, reefkeepers make mistakes. The hobby CAN help the wild reefs. I urge you to please reconsider purchasing large angels (and other target species) from Indo-PI that...

I got PADI certified by diving in Molokini Crater near Maui. 65m deep on our first dives, but *very* closely monitored by divemasters. I petted a shark within my first 20 min of diving. I managed to touch an octopus and snorkel with dolphins too. It's kinda like hitting the jackpot on the...

When you actually spend time in Hawaiian reefs and study fish populations, your arguments will carry more strength. The decimation of those populations of yellow tangs and flame angels off the Big Island is legitimate and shows the hobby's need for reform. The fish are virtually nonexistent in...

I'm buying a Bubbleking next time myself. More up front, but much cheaper power. Just my choice. ER is decent. Go with an external if possible, whatever brand you choose. I think the recirc time makes a big difference.

I guess you can teach an old fish new tricks. Or snakes at least. Good things constrictors have few, if any, predators. Sharks do prey on other sharks. Oh well, regardless of why, there are a lot of reasons not to release captive animals into the wild.

Matt + Jim - how come other apex predators like tigers, lions, etc aren't released back into the wild from captivity? They have to be kept in reserves. I know sharks are ancient, primitive predators, but you're talking about an aquarium animal that has never had to dodge larger sharks. If it...

Rich - I agree about no Kalk-bashing. I'd like to reply to a couple thoughts appropriately. Bleaching, universally, is a detriment to the health of the biome. There is great interdependence within a food web, particularly in a reef ecosystem. Spawning corals, fish, inverts are all dependent...

Hey now - the Interruptus is only $650 (I noticed he raised his price, but I'm not shopping for one.... yet) :D Multifasciatus is $120 Thanks for considering my opinion and taking it the right way Mike. I'm obviously well intended and trying to give people (not just you or I) some food for...

It's a shame that Cortez Marine (Bay Area importer/wholesaler) is not run by Steve anymore. They used to get net caught fish exclusively. Not sure if that's still the case. I know he works with Aquatic Specialties and Pets now (another local imp/whole.) but I'm uncertain if they've put enough...

True, animals can only grow to certain sizes in confined areas, but that doesn't make it right to put a large angel in a small tank (for them). Again, I'm not blasting anyone. I'm just trying to help Mike have a healthy system... Mike has helped me many, many times. Yes, a baby seaturtle...

Formula One for angels has sponge material in it I think. It's a frozen food. No matter what they can get trained on, they still need sponge in their diet. Bob at AAF is the one who told me countless goldflakes die before ever reaching a hobbyists' tank. He said it's his least favorite...