New Aquarist Advocacy Group

[Rusty_Shackleford]

This is a huge step for all aquarists. It's a sister group with USARK (U.S. Amphibians and Reptile Keepers). I know the good work USARK does and if USAQUA can do the same we finally have a strong advocate on our side.

https://www.amazonasmagazine.com/2026/03/12/from-the-hobby-to-the-hill-usaqua-is-a-new-voice-for-aquarists/

Now their first issue is allowing imports of farm raised Arrowanas. Pretty niche fight if you ask me. Not many people have the capacity to house adults. So will this lead to the rehoming of many arrowana as they grow up?

Edit:
USAQUA Site

We should all join.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Wow I just scrolled through the list of items USAQUA is fighting. The most frightening is reclassifiing cold bloded animals which would make USDA inspections of breeding facilities mandatory.
Imagine you breed guppies and the USDA shows up at your house randomly for inspections.

 

[emeraldking]

Imagine you breed guppies and the USDA shows up at your house randomly for inspections.

With the health of fish certificate I have, I can be visited by the organization to be checked out how I keep my guppies (and other fish, of course...)

 

[Jennet]

Wow I just scrolled through the list of items USAQUA is fighting. The most frightening is reclassifiing cold bloded animals which would make USDA inspections of breeding facilities mandatory.
Imagine you breed guppies and the USDA shows up at your house randomly for inspections.

From my experience of keeping herps they are unlikely to target small keepers, particularly if you do not sell a lot of fish in an obvious way. They are much more likely to target groups, especially large groups that may have a way of 'speaking to the hobby'. We had various groups in the UK trying to seriously limit the number of snakes that are kept over here.

Keepers of hot's already have to be both registered and inspected by their local council to ensure they are kept in fully safe housing along with mandatory registration alongside that.

There is always something rumbling on in these hobbies, but more often than not it is based on dangers like possible invasive species and safety issues etc. There is always concern about the wellbeing of things but as long as it is not a massive issue, it does not affect that many people. Most small time keepers do not normally become entangled in this, but I could see how it may make you wonder how far they are likely to take things.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

From my experience of keeping herps they are unlikely to target small keepers, particularly if you do not sell a lot of fish in an obvious way. They are much more likely to target groups, especially large groups that may have a way of 'speaking to the hobby'. We had various groups in the UK trying to seriously limit the number of snakes that are kept over here.

Keepers of hot's already have to be both registered and inspected by their local council to ensure they are kept in fully safe housing along with mandatory registration alongside that.

There is always something rumbling on in these hobbies, but more often than not it is based on dangers like possible invasive species and safety issues etc. There is always concern about the wellbeing of things but as long as it is not a massive issue, it does not affect that many people. Most small time keepers do not normally become entangled in this, but I could see how it may make you wonder how far they are likely to take things.

I lived in Florida for a few years and at that time I was breeding and a selling a lot of dart frogs. I was averaging shipping about 25-50 juvenile frogs per month. At any one time I had around 200 tadpoles in the water. Florida was pretty strict. I had to get a permit with Florida Fish & Wildlife. I had to have a written plan with emergency steps in case of a hurricane. Having that permit gave Florida Fish and Wildlife the right to show up at my place anytime, day or night, for an inspection. While I didn't like the idea of them showing up any time, I welcomed any inspection as I knew my care was top notch and I would end up laughing in their face.

What worries me is we are dealing with pandering politicians who aren't fish keepers or hobbyists of any sort. It's all knee jerk reactions. Oh someone got bit by a snake? Let's ban all snakes.
Since you're in the UK you probably aren't aware of the Holy Thursday Massacre that occurred in Florida in 2023. Please please Google it and give it a read.
If wildlife agents can't determine the difference between a species of python and a species of boa, do you trust them to tell the difference between nearly identical pencilfish or tetras?

 

[Back in the fold]

Very interesting !

 

[Jennet]

Oh my lord, what a horrific sight. Did they not know that one shot to the head would not kill them? Surely they could see that. And for the owner to have to watch it also. I have not kept herps for a long time now, and had not heard of this incident. It sickens me. I am aware that Burms cannot be kept in some states, which is understandable given they are a danger and an invasive species but that is unconscionable.

Totally barbaric and completely unnecessary!

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Oh my lord, what a horrific sight. Did they not know that one shot to the head would not kill them? Surely they could see that. And for the owner to have to watch it also. I have not kept herps for a long time now, and had not heard of this incident. It sickens me. I am aware that Burms cannot be kept in some states, which is understandable given they are a danger and an invasive species but that is unconscionable.

Totally barbaric and completely unnecessary!

This is exactly why groups like USARK and USAQUA are so vital. This can never ever happen again.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

USAQUA Code of Ethics:

 

[Back in the fold]

Well , now , the more I delve into these posts the more interesting this becomes . There have already been attempts by politicians to stick their noses into the aquarium hobby and I’m not exactly sure why or what raised their hackles but you can be sure that they will cause unnecessary trouble .
As for Arowanas I like them as long as someone else has them . They are fascinating fish to watch and they’re just a bit scary too , to me anyway . I haven’t seen one in person for over thirty years now and that one was VERY big and housed in a large display aquarium with a locking top in case it jumped . Farm raised Arowana’s ? I had no idea at all that there was such a creature .

 

[GaryE]

This would be an interesting explore for US keepers, I expect. You have a lot more concerns about wild release than we do up here where the wind freezes tears. The kind of irresponsibility I've seen in Florida is awful (we would have people doing the same if not for winter ending their idiotic releases). The enormous and invasive common and gibbiceps plecos I saw there were appalling.

I would have no problem with inspection of my fishroom if I were breeding on a semi-commercial scale. We joke about guppy mills, but there are some bad practices. In the nearest large city there are some pet stores that could use a visit and some licensing/inspection.
I would suggest people watch the group a bit because of the focus on arrowanas. Farm raised and chipped ones are well loved by gamblers, as there's a superstition they bring luck. The choice of campaigns makes me wonder if it's aiming to represent the hobby or business interests that want to import very high end fishes, worth many thousands. Will they vanish if they get their cash?

It's interesting they seem to discuss nothing about captive conservation breeding.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

The choice of campaigns makes me wonder if it's aiming to represent the hobby or business interests that want to import very high end fishes, worth many thousands. Will they vanish if they get their cash?

It's interesting they seem to discuss nothing about captive conservation breeding

If they are modeled after USARK then I believe they will watch out for both the commercial and hobbyist sides and lobby on behalf of both. Without one, you wouldn't have the other.
Looking through the "alerts" section on their website there are many mentions about different towns banning live animal retail sales including fish and an alert about helping Goodeid conservation efforts. Also remember this is a relatively new organization, I think less than 8 months old so they are likely just getting their fins wet.