Aquariumania - Tropical Fish as Pets - Pets & Animals on Pet Life Radio (PetLifeRadio.com)

Many consider our planet’s oceans too vast to be in trouble. But numerous scientific studies are proving that water quality and the lives of many marine - and terrestrial species, including ourselves, are at risk from mankind’s waste and climatic influences. My guest today, Fabien Cousteau, grandson of aquatic pioneer Jacques Cousteau, is himself an ocean explorer, film-maker, renaissance man, and even an optimist. Join us, as Fabien describes life as a Cousteau, his hopes and efforts to jump start ecological renewal through the "Plant A Fish" program, and how, ultimately, we are the solution to this sea of problems.

The beauty of the aquarium hobby is that there is a niche for everyone, including those who love tiny tanks. My guest, today, Rachel O’Leary, owner of Misjinkzd, is well-known for her collection of tiny freshwater fish and invertebrates, ideal occupants for now trendy 'nano tanks,' aquaria that, like bonsai trees, can brighten up small spaces. Join us, as we learn more about life on the nano-side from the girl with the apple snail tattoo.

Breeding marine aquarium fish for the hobby was just a dream several decades ago, until a relatively unknown fisheries biologist named Martin Moe started his company, Aqualife Research, with wife Barbara, in the early 70s, breeding clownfish. Martin Moe was ahead of his time, and is now considered by many the father of marine aquarium fish aquaculture, with many fascinating stories to share about the field. Join us, as Martin reminisces on the past and looks to the future of marine aquarium fish aquaculture.

Many beautiful aquarium fish come from the Amazon but one of the most iconic is the majestic discus. Known as the 'king of aquarium fish,' discus have a reputation for being difficult to keep. But are they? Our guest today, Gabriel Posada, has been breeding and raising discus for many years at Jack Wattley Discus. Join us as Gabe shares his knowledge and stories of discus and aquarium pioneer Jack Wattley.

A beautifully aquascaped planted aquarium or outdoor pond easily rivals even the most complex of reef aquariums. In fact, a school of fish swimming through an underwater forest in a small home tank, or spectacular water lilies in a koi pond can brighten up an space. But where do many of these plants, come from? My guest today is Brandon McLane, Vice President of Florida Aquatic Nurseries, one of the largest producers of aquatic plants in the United States. Join us, as Brandon explains the ins and outs of this fascinating aspect of the hobby!.

Freshwater angelfish, whose scientific name, Pterophyllum means winged leaf, are a uniquely shaped member of the cichlid family from the Amazon and have been a favorite of hobbyists for decades, ever since they were first bred in the 1920’s and 30’s. My guest today is Matt Pedersen, Senior Editor of AMAZONAS and CORAL Magazine, and Associate Publisher with their parent company, Reef To Rainforest Media, LLC. Join us, as Matt explains how angelfish genetics translate into the numerous beautiful varieties we see today.

The aquarium industry is truly international. Although many fish come from farms and collection points in Florida and other parts of the US, numerous species also arrive from points around the globe. Australia has its own thriving aquarium industry and hobby, and is home to some of the most beautiful and prized freshwater and marine aquarium fish in the world, including the popular rainbowfishes and the stunning leafy seadragons. My guest today is Josiah Pit, Operations and Supply Chain Manager for Aquarium Industries, the major aquarium livestock source for Australia. Join us, as we learn more about ornamental fish in the land Down Under!

The Banggai cardinalfish is a small, beautiful marine aquarium fish that was discovered twice, rose quickly in popularity, but now has an uncertain future. What do we know about this fish and what can be done to save it? My guest today, Ret Talbot, is an award-winning writer and photojournalist with nearly 20 years of experience covering stories from exotic locales including Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Ret frequently reports on the marine aquarium trade, has co-authored The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums and is a senior editor at CORAL Magazine. Most recently, Talbot served as the embedded journalist with the interdisciplinary expedition to Indonesia. Join us, as Ret discusses the plight of the banggai cardinalfish.

Most hobbyists are familiar with the common pleco, the catfish that feeds on algae and detritus and is a staple of any community tank. But most do not know that there are currently well over 600 different species of catfishes in the pleco family, the Loricariidae, many with incredible color and patterns, like the zebra pleco and the gold dust pleco, and many of which have not yet been properly identified by scientists. My guest today is Hans-George Evers, long time aquarium hobbyist, lecturer, author, and Editor-in-Chief of AMAZONAS magazine. Join us, as we learn more about Hans, AMAZONAS, and the amazing L-Cats!

The U.S. aquarium fish industry is centered in Florida, and has a rich tradition of fish farming families. My guest today, Jason Diaz, has been working in his family’s business since age 12. Jason is President of 5-D Tropical, Inc., an aquarium fish production and import facility, based in Plant City. 5-D produces 100s of thousands of aquarium fish weekly, comprised of over 60 species and varieties of fish, with the spectacularly colored GloFish among their most popular. 5-D also imports fish from all over the globe. So what’s it like growing up in an aquaculture industry when your parents were also your bosses? And where your brother and sister work, too? Join us, as Jason gives us his unique perspective on the aquarium industry.

Ken Jones, my guest today, is a well-known and highly respected water feature and water garden designer, who has been in the aquatic landscape business for over 30 years. Ken has been involved in many aspects of the aquarium hobby throughout his career and his projects have won Designer Showcase awards from the national trade magazine, Watergarden News. Ken also writes for many of the hobby and trade publications and produces and hosts his own television show. Most recently Ken began hosting the Prince of Ponds podcast and founded the Ornamental Water Feature Academy. Join us, as we discuss the ins and outs of water gardens with Ken Jones!

Aquarium keeping is more than just a great hobby. It also teaches valuable lessons about science, nature, and even careers in aquatics! A perfect example of this can be seen at Riverview High School, in Sarasota, FL, where innovators Katrin Rudge and her colleagues use aquarium systems to teach aquaculture, natural resources, engineering, and business. Riverview High School’s Aquascience Program currently enrolls approximately 250-300 students, and their "Stars to Starfish" program is gearing up to educate not only these high schoolers, but hundreds of visiting grade school students as well. My guests today are Katrin Rudge and her students Matt LaVigna, Wes Robertson, Tyler Fushikoshi. Join us, as we discuss aquariums in the classroom at Riverview High School!

Many hobbyists know that clownfish and a few other marine species are now bred by fish farms for the industry. However, most other marine aquarium fish are even more difficult to breed and are available only as wild caught specimens. How can we ever crack their breeding and culture codes? Rising Tide Conservation, an initiative spearheaded by the Sea World and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, is a collaborative effort designed to advance methods and disseminate information regarding captive breeding of marine fishes and to provide alternatives to collection. Eric Cassiano and Matt Wittenrich, two scientists based at the University of Florida’s Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, and members of the initiative have been concentrating their efforts on culture methods of a variety of species including anthias, tangs, dragonets, and porkfish. Join us, as we discuss the opportunities and challenges in their work with Rising Tide Conservation.

Cancer and old age are difficult to handle when they happen to our pets. Although most people are familiar with these issues in dogs and cats, not many aquarium hobbyists have the same level of understanding for their fish. Our guest today is Dr. Todd Cecil, owner and operator of Western Aquatic Animal Veterinary Service, and primary exotic animal veterinarian at Pet Emergency and Specialty Center based in San Diego. Dr. Todd is well known for his fish medicine expertise and has been working with fish and other exotic animals for the past seventeen years. Join us, as Dr. Todd teaches us all we need to know about cancer and old age in pet fish.

Do you want to have the fish tank of your dreams? Ask Wayde King and Brett Raymer, brothers-in-law, best friends, and the highly successful brains behind their company, Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM). Housed in a 13,000 sq ft. facility located in the center of Las Vegas, ATM has created thousands of conceptual aquariums for high-profile clients. Animal Planet’s newest hit show "TANKED," follows the professional "antics" of these creative geniuses and puts a colorful, Vegas-style spin on state-of-the-art aquarium design and construction. Join us, as we get "TANKED" with Wayde and Brett! If you can dream it, ATM can build it. . . .