Give the Oceans a Hand by Shopping Secondhand

Give the Oceans a Hand by Shopping Secondhand

Give the Oceans a Hand by Shopping Secondhand
submitted by Sophie Letts

Everything humans do affects the world’s oceans. Sometimes our actions have an indirect impact, such as the case with chemical runoff from landfills. Other times, our irresponsibility causes direct and undeniable harm to the environment and the life within it. It’s up to us to take action now so that our children and grandchildren don’t have to bear the burden of an unstable ecosystem in the oceans we all rely on for food, travel, and recreation. Read on for some great tips from SLC Aquatics.

Know the problem

Manufacturing new items takes a toll on the environment. The creation of something new requires vast resources and can leave lingering chemicals and other waste on and in the land and sea. Every industry from textiles to vehicle production leaves behind remnants of the manufacturing process. One of the most effective methods for reducing the production of new, and therefore environmentally-taxing, items is to actively participate in the secondhand economy.

You can participate in secondhand shopping by visiting yard sales or thrift stores. Further, actions such as donating unused household goods, vehicles, and clothing, keeps these items in circulation and out of the oceans and landfills. This reduces the negative impact on marine habitats and lessens the amount of chemicals and debris introduced into the aquatic ecosystem.If you own or manage a business, making operational decisions in line with protecting the environment is a smart way to go in many aspects, one of them being a boon to the bottom line.ZenBusiness cites an Accenture study that showed 62 percent of consumers were attracted to certain brands because they were committed to green initiatives.

Recycling still a solution

A great deal of household waste won’t be suitable for continued use in its current state. However, there are other ways to reduce marine pollution while extending the useful life of what might otherwise be considered trash. Recycling is one option. According to Residential Waste Systems, recycling is one of the most beneficial things people can do for the environment. Specifically, recycling items such as glass, aluminum, and plastic, will reduce the need for harvesting raw materials. But more importantly, it will keep these things out of the ocean.

Perhaps more effective in the long term than recycling is to cut down on the amount of nonbiodegradable materials we consume in the first place. Today, Waste Dive notes that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic estimated to be in the ocean – 269,000 tons of this remains on the surface.

For a small glimpse of the potential issues this can cause, one only needs to take a look at the snapping turtle fittingly named Mae West after the curvy 1930s starlet. This unfortunate animal was caught shortly after birth inside of a tiny plastic ring used to secure the top of a milk jug. It left her permanently deformed, with an hourglass shape better suited for the silver screen than life in the ocean.

Individuals and industries alike can take steps to reduce overall raw material consumption to diminish solid pollution in the ocean. Carlsberg Beer has taken the important step of eliminating the plastic rings traditionally used to hold cans together. And another way people can help is by investing in reusable water bottles instead of buying bottled water.

It took more than one generation to leave our oceans in the state they are in today. But it is our generation that can take the initiative of putting things back the way they were and should be.

You may not believe that one person can make a difference, but remember that one person’s seemingly innocent purchase of milk forever changed the face of the effects of irresponsibility.

SLC Aquatics loves discussing anything having to do with fish — from fish tank designs to challenges you may have raising fish. Get in touch today!

Image via Pixabay

Spironucleus vortens: Facts and theories about hexamita by Tammy Kuilderd

Spironucleus vortens: Facts and theories about hexamita by Tammy Kuilderd

Spironucleus vortens: Facts and theories about hexamita
submitted by Tammy Kuilderd
Nov. 2021

I have been researching and studying Spironucleus Vortens for over a year and i would like to share with you all some of my findings.

Spironucleus Vortens is the correct name for the protozoa we all know as Hexamita, When this protozoa was first seen in Cichlids it was diagnosed as the human infecting protozoa Hexamita. It was later discovered that this protozoa has a different Genome than Hexamita. It has since been classified as family: Hexamitadae but the genus: Spironucleus Vortens.
S. Vortens is commonly found in Cichlids although research has been unable to ascertain the reason for this. It is common in all species, from African Cichlids to North, Central, and South American cichlids.
Most Cichlids carry S. Vortens with no symptoms of having them, however if conditions are good for the protozoa it will multiply and overwhelm the fish, causing illness. S. Vortens are known to occupy the mucosa found in the intestine, however they can penetrate the walls and infect other organs of the body. IF this happens it can be fatal. some of the symptoms of illness include white mucousy poop, darkening in color, sluggishness, refusing food, and hiding. These symptoms are the same as many other diseases, making it difficult to know what is going on in your fish. S.Vortens has also been found in the wounds associated with HITH, however it still requires further study to find if S.Vortens is the cause of the wounds or is opportunistic in this case.
In December 1999, Virginia Tech did a study of angelfish infected with S. Vortens in order to determine the optimum growing conditions for the protozoa as well as treatments for it.
During this study, it was found that S Vortens optimum growth conditions we in temperatures between 22C (71f) and 28C (82f) with a PH range between 6.0 and 7.5. These temperatures and PH range covers most of the Cichlids we keep.
In this study they tested treatments of the nitroimidazoles and the benzimidazoles, from the meds tested pyrimethamine, magnesium Sulfate, albendazole and fenbendazole were completely ineffective, however metronidazole, mebendazole and dimetridazole were all effective with mebendazole being the most effective.
In another study done in 2000, an in vitro study was done in order to ascertain the best conditions for optimum growth of S. Vortens. This study was done with S. Vortens growing in medium, in different conditions. The results of this study mirrored those of the last. Optimum conditons were found with temperature 22C-28C. It was found that with a temperature of 30 and higher all S. Vortens died in 4 days. Optimum PH range was 6.0-7.5. With PH above 8.5 and below 5.5 all S. Vortens were dead in 24 hours.

So in Theory, taking into consideration both studies, with a PH above 8.0 and below 6.0 S. Vortens cannot survive. This is interesting news for sure.

According to the University of Florida Treatment for S. Vortens is Metronidazole preferably mixed in food, however if the fish is not eating it can be used as a bath. Below i have added screenshots og the dosage amounts for both in food and the bath as well as a recipe for the meds provided by the University of Florida.

I hope this article has been both informative and useful.

Virginia Tech Study
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/29907

In vitro study, S. Sangmaneedet, et al. Dis Aquat Organ, 2000
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10715818/?i=3&from=/11558728/related

The University of Florida Drs. Ruth Francis-Floyd and Peggy Reed
Freshwater-aquaculture.extension.org

Why Keep Rare & Extinct Fish?

Why Keep Rare or Extinct Fish?
submitted by Skull Aquatics
October 2021

After being in the hobby for over 30 years I was looking for a new challenge. Having kept and bred all sorts of tropical fish, a large reef tank and outdoor pond I needed to find something to keep the hobby interesting.
Having heard of the C.A.R.E.S program years ago and looking into it- I thought why not? Helping to save a species from extinction would be great and a chance to spread them to others in the hobby. After contacting the state fish and game department and getting nowhere with keeping local endangered species, I started looking on YouTube.
I stumbled on Greg Sage from Select Aquatics. His website is packed with tons of information for all fish keepers whether you want to keep rare fish or not. The hook that got me is the letter to the public on his homepage. The letter explains the importance of keeping the extinct or endangered species a lot better than I ever could. I would encourage everyone to read this letter for themselves and decide.
Initially starting with 2 species I picked up from Greg’s house (I am lucky to be able to drive there and back in a day). I was quickly hooked on watching them grow and get their personalities and adult coloration. They have personality, breeding colors and habits to match any other tropical fish. A fun fact most do not know is Goodeid babies are the only fish that the young are born with an umbilical cord.
The current fish room has 4 species in 20 tanks, and I am now onto the F3 generation. There is 1 more species that I am currently looking for now. This is the challenge I needed to keep the hobby fresh and exciting.
Having kept a few species successfully I would like to now help spread them through the hobby for others to enjoy. Look for rare species at auctions or online. Keep 1 tank to start with and you will be quickly hooked. Feel free to contact me if you would like more information on what I currently am working with and starting to ship to a few select hobbyists.
Please go to Selectaquatics.com and enjoy all the articles and knowledge. Greg also has a YouTube channel (Select Aquatics).

Curtis
Skullaquatics@gmail.com