NANFA-- What one member can do, Captive Maintenance

Mark (mbinkley_at_columbus.rr.com)
Mon, 27 Aug 2001 20:09:36 -0400

Bob Bock's comments reminded me of something Roger Thoma said during his
talk on Lake Erie fishes. He was describing the bottom of Lake Erie as a
"carpet of round gobies" (a recently introduced exotic), and went on to say
that the lacustrine sculpins (two subspecies of Cottus bairdi) and
greenside darters have all but dissappeared from his regular fish surveys.
Roger suggested that these fishes would be worthy candidates for aquarists
to maintain in captive breeding colonies. At the current rate, this may be
the only way to insure their survival. The gobies are quickly pushing them
out. Roger gave a vivid description of goby/sculpin interaction: Sculpins
will challenge one another by arching and displaying their pectorals. The
larger fish wins, and the other swims away unharmed. A goby/sculpin
challenge goes like this: The sculpin displays, the goby displays, the
goby bites the sculpin! The sculpin loses every time.

Here's the challenge: If anyone wants to make a serious attempt to
maintain the Lake Erie sculpins or greenside darters by captive breeding
and maintenance of these strains/subspecies, I will do what is necessary to
acquire the brood stock for you. This is not an offer of pet fish. This
is an offer to stock prepared breeders with dissappearing fishes for
captive maintenance. Anyone have grant writing experience? We will need
your help too. Either way, Email or call me:

Mark Binkley
614-844-6042
mbinkley_at_columbus.rr.com

Thanks!

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