Although not marine related at present, if there are any freshwater enthusiasts that would like to comment on the issues presented, you are welcome to do so here and appropriate responses will be forwarded to the department.
Dear Ornamental Fish Importer/Enthusiast
As explained in my previous email, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities is conducting a review process for all ornamental fish listings that are causing identification problems at the border.
Thank you for wanting to be involved in the process to provide advice to the department surrounding particular questions regarding ornamental fish identification.
During the compilation of the second report, it has become evident that it lacks enough information about several of the species, making it hard to put together a useful and workable recommendation. I appreciate you may only have knowledge about some of the species listed, but I would be grateful if you could answer as many of the questions as you can and make any suggestions that you think could help with the issue. Every little bit helps. Feel free to respond to the questions in a way that suits you, either by adding to the email and sending it back or in a word document attached to a reply email.
If you have any further questions about the below listed questions, please contact me as soon as possible. I will need all responses back to me on or before Wednesday 19th October 2011. If you intend to respond, but won’t make the deadline, please let me know.
Current listing - Dekeyseria pulcher – Butterfly pleco (length 1.5cm and over)
Issue: Species looks similar to genera Hypancistrus, Peckoltia and other unlisted Dekeyseria species and often can’t be positively identified by AQIS officers, leading to destruction.
Questions: Does the Butterfly pleco look similar to the fish listed above? Do they have any unique or obvious traits that can easily be identified set them apart from similar species? Would a minimum size limit of 5cm SL help with identification? If so why?
Suggestions:
Current listing – Yellow morph only Neolamprologus leleupi – Lemon cichlid (length 5cm and over)
Issue: Species looks very similar to the unlisted N. longior species and often can’t be positively identified by AQIS officers, leading to destruction.
Questions: The lemon cichlid and elongated lemon cichlid (only common name I can find for N. longior) look very similar. Do they have any unique or obvious traits that can easily be identified or set them apart from each other? Would a minimum size limit help with identification? If so why? Is N. leleupi still easily identifiable in other morph colours?
Suggestions:
Current listing – Pseudogastromyzon myersi – Dwarf Stone Sucker, Sucker-belly Loach
Issue: Species looks extremely similar to the unlisted P. chenni species and often can’t be positively identified by AQIS officers, leading to destruction.
Questions: Does the species have any unique or obvious traits that can easily be identified or set them apart from each other? Would a minimum size limit help with identification? If so why? Would you be able to tell the difference between the two species without comparing them?
Suggestions:
Current listing – Females only Sturisoma panamense – Armoured Catfish (length 8cm and over)
Issue: Species looks similar to the unlisted S. festivum species and often can’t be positively identified by AQIS officers, leading to destruction.
Questions: Do the two species look similar? Do they have any unique or obvious traits that can easily be identified or set them apart from each other? Would a minimum size limit help with identification? If so why? Are they currently bred in Australia? Are S. festivum often seen for sale on overseas supplier lists?
Suggestions:
Current listing – Males only Corynopoma riisei – Swordtail Characin
Issue: The gender of this species is hard to distinguish, particularly in small individuals and often can’t be determined by AQIS officers, which may lead to destruction.
Questions: Does the species have any obvious traits that can determine gender? Would a minimum size limit help with distinguishing the gender? If so why? Would you be able to tell the difference between the male and female without comparing them? Are they currently bred in Australia? Is the species often seen for sale on overseas supplier lists?
Suggestions:
Current listing – Males only Synodontis decora – Clown Squeaker Catfish (length 10cm and over)
Issue: AQIS officers have identified that the gender of this species is hard to distinguish, which may lead to destruction.
Questions: Does the species have any obvious traits that can determine gender? Would an increase to the minimum size limit help with distinguishing the gender? If so why? Would you be able to tell the difference between the male and female without comparing them? Are they currently bred in Australia? Is the species often seen for sale on overseas supplier lists?
Suggestions:
Current listing – Males only Trachelyopterus fisheri – Woodcat or Driftwood Catfish (length 7cm and over)
Issue: The gender of this species is hard to distinguish, particularly in small individuals and often can’t be determined by AQIS officers, which may lead to destruction.
Questions: Does the species have any obvious traits that can determine gender? Would an increase to the minimum size limit help with distinguishing the gender? If so why? Would you be able to tell the difference between the male and female without comparing them? Are they currently bred in Australia? Is the species often seen for sale on overseas supplier lists?
Suggestions:
Thanks again for your interest in this process and I look forward to receiving your response.