[Algae In Space]

As no one was able to breed METABETAEUS LOHENA in captivity (yet) sellers must get them directly from the source (anchialine pools) right? Just wondering what you guys think about that in terms of ethics? It's a tricky one.

[odin]

It’s a difficult one really, as numbers in the wild are unknown I think a breeding program is a good thing but then again you are removing them from their natural habitat. Preservation of breeding is important incase we have anything catastrophic happen to their home.


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[opae ula related]

Yeah difficult.

One way to look at it - If illegal to sell and buy due to it being an endangered species than that is totally unethically.

If buying it to feed sea horses then that is plain wrong knowing it cannot breed in captivity.

I don’t think anyone is selling them anymore right?

[Algae In Space]

Yes I understand. I was just wondering.

Using them as food is just plain wrong. Period.

Furthermore I think it's really not the best thing to take them from the pools anymore. Breeding attempts are most reasonable in Hawaii directly as I see it.

[opae ula related]

Yes I understand. I was just wondering.

Using them as food is just plain wrong. Period.

Furthermore I think it's really not the best thing to take them from the pools anymore. Breeding attempts are most reasonable in Hawaii directly as I see it.

Agree!

[Rex113]

As no one was able to breed METABETAEUS LOHENA in captivity (yet) sellers must get them directly from the source (anchialine pools) right? Just wondering what you guys think about that in terms of ethics? It's a tricky one.

Yes i think it’s a tricky situation. My opinion is that if more people knew about these shrimp, and tried breeding them we would possibly be successful in having them survive the larvae stage. As of now there is probably only a handful of people trying.

[Vorteil]

Interesting thoughts and opinions here. There is no known count on the ML or Opae Ula populations in Hawaii. Many of the pools are unaccessable due to locations of where they are. There are people who have pools on their lands. In their opinion they do harvest the opae if they want to. Permits are just a technicality and for the most part ignored. If it were my land and it's not endangered then it's free game. You may not like my opinion but that's they way I feel. If the demand weren't there then nobody would be catching the opae. Let's think about where the demand is. Is it big for commercial use? I believe for companies like the ones who sell the ecospheres. I wonder who supplies the opae for them? And that's something to really think about when you know in the end that the opae are mistreated right from the start since they are put in an enclosed sphere.

At one point in time I know Shrimpmart & Hawaii Opae Ula were selling both ML & Opae Ula. Unfortunately due to the volcano errupting on the Big Island they are no longer in business. Other than finding anyone selling their stock I don't know of anyone commercially selling the ML. Opae Ula are easier are there's private breeders and you can still find places selling them.

The ML is one of my favorite shrimp if not the favorite. Very active but also like to hide if given places. Anyone who has them knows that theirs came direct from the pools one way or another. I know mine are. Will I try to breed them? Probably in the next few months since I now have the room to add another tank.

[opae ula related]

I believe for companies like the ones who sell the ecospheres. I wonder who supplies the opae for them

I know there are wholesalers that sell them. As mentioned in another topic, an aquarium store in the Hilo side of the Big Island just had new stock of Opae ula and wouldn’t sell them since they just got the shipment. They were selling it for $1 each.

[odin]

That's about 80 pence each UK sterling.... Wow lol.


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[Algae In Space]

Interesting what you all have to say.

Now let's say the trend continues (for me everything points to that direction) that more and more of MB Opae Ula disappear as they are an endangered species. Is it really morally acceptable to harvest them further and further? I mean one has to let go if one loves something/someone right? Even if breeding attempts were successful. There has to be a balance I guess.