Do you collect your own fish?

[cracker]

If You decide to collect "ANY THING" wild, I strongly suggest you quarantine everything! I learned the very hard way.

[lcstorc]

I think you need a fishing license in Florida to collect anything. I know you are not allowed to collect rock. I think fish are ok if you have the license. Be sure to check the state and the county where you are going. One may have restrictions the other doesn't and you have to go by both.

[michael_cb_125]

Gadgetguy, i bet you are not the youngest here at RS.
18, and in college.

[lcstorc]

Actually I believe our youngest confirmed member is 8. We also have two 12 year old members.

You guys aren't even close.

[cracker]

The legal end of collecting marine fish is the easy part. Actually capturing them is a whole different story. They are a lot smarter then You think and a hell of a lot faster than you are! More than anything You "must" have a proper aerated container with a tight fitting lid.

Now on to a more interesting subject, We have confirmed our youngest member. How about the oldest?

[rDr4g0n]

Originally Posted by cracker

If You decide to collect "ANY THING" wild, I strongly suggest you quarantine everything! I learned the very hard way.

i agree with cracker. id be worried about contamination and funguses and bacteria and diseases and flukes and worms and the list goes on and on.

[XDLE33544]

For those in Florida. this was posted in a thread where I asked about collecting my own.

RECREATIONAL HARVESTING INFORMATION FOR MARINE LIFE SPECIES

[johnmaloney]

Everything in John Pennekamp is protected. You can find a lot of other spots for catching, you just can't trade or sell them otherwise you will need a marine life endorsement, (50k plus to purchase one for transfer). Next time you are in the Keys find a bridge, dive between the pilings and congrats you found a legal place to catch tropicals!

[Dentoid]

[johnmaloney]

I haven't had a problem with collected fish, the ones in the ocean are generally healthier then the ones at the LFS. Have been under much less stress. Of course you should always follow proper QT process though.

[ch08]

I collect fish here in Hawaii. I get a ton of variety stuff, but my passion is going deep for the deepwater specimens. I'll go as deep as 215ft. deep and catch bandit angels, crosshatch triggers, tinker's butterflys, ventrallis anthias, yellow mouth morays, and longnose hawkfish. That is why I have THREE 1" bandit angelfish in my tank!

[streetjudge79]

Originally Posted by billyr98

Not legal in the states for sure... not to many places you could do this...

Of course it is legal, all you need is a saltwater license. You just cannot collect coral, license or not.

[mavdog32]

you can collect coral, just not hard coral
Like was said its not as easy as one would believe and you should deco the fish when you bring them up. I have seen it done where the diver has a container tied to the boat and puts the fish in it, then you have to bring them up slowly making stops along the retrieve. Obviously you dont have to do a whole lot at 15ft but if your in 60, 70 etc you know

[nemeth21]

I do alot of collecting around our oil rigs of the coast of Louisiana

Here are a few teasers.







That last picture is my boat. In the spring and summer it get out usually twice a week. I am the President of a New Orleans Dive Club named the Aqua Aces. If anyone in the area ever wants to get on the water let me know.

[ReefLady]

Oh, I am jealous. That's gorgeous. My husband & I are both PADI certified, but it's been a while since I've been diving - mostly because I hate the cold water. Here's the prettiest fish you'll find here:



:-)