Wednesday January 22, 2020
FISHBIO has extensive experience in performing fish rescues, which often require our biologists and technicians to go to great lengths (or great depths) to recover fish that are in danger of being stranded. But sometimes our rescues play out in a less dramatic, more domesticated fashion. Our Santa Cruz office recently adopted a fish tank from nearby Dominican Hospital, where changes to a laboratory setup required that the tank be removed. Although our work rarely overlaps with the aquarium business, we were happy to welcome some new fishy friends to our office.
The tank’s residents include a tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona), which is native to Indonesia, and a common pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus), which is native to Brazil. Though these species evolved on continents half a world away from one another, they get along swimmingly. Both seem to be handling their transition from the healthcare industry to fisheries consulting quite well. A tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) that also came with the tank was rehomed to a more appropriately sized enclosure.
The aquarium hobby is a great way to enjoy the incredible diversity of fish species at home, and responsible purchasing of aquarium specimens can even actively support sustainable fisheries and conservation efforts. For those who have aquariums, remember to never release fish into rivers, lakes, ponds, or the ocean, as this may lead to the introduction of invasive species or the spread of disease. If a fish is no longer wanted or has grown too large for its tank, try contacting local pet shops or aquarium hobbyist groups to find it a new home. We hope our new piscine officemates will enjoy long careers here at FISHBIO Santa Cruz!