Aquatic Invasive Species
Got fish and aquatic plants? Get a Habitattitude
Aquarium hobbyists and water gardeners sometimes find themselves with unwanted aquatic animals (e.g., fish, snails, frogs, turtles) and plants (including algae). Out of kindness to these organisms, the hobbyist might choose to release them into the natural environment. However, this is not always the humane choice. Organisms discharged into the environment often die from starvation, are eaten by predators, or succumb to parasites and diseases.
Some released organisms do thrive and can cause significant environmental and economic harm (e.g., hydrilla). These organisms can compete for food with and prey upon natives, infest them with parasites and diseases, and change their genetic pools through hybridization. The result is that numbers of native species decline and the pond, lake or stream changes usually in an undesirable way. These changes, which may include declines in sport fish or increases in weeds, could eventually affect our enjoyment of these aquatic resources.
What is Habitattitude?
Habitattitude is a national public-education campaign to promote awareness among aquarium pet owners and water gardeners about responsible hobbyist behavior. The main goal of this campaign is to prevent the release of aquatic pets and plants into the natural environment. Instead of releasing them, individuals can choose an alternative.
Alternatives
- Contact retailers for proper handling advice or possible returns.
- Give to or trade with another aquarist, pond owner or water gardener.
- Donate to a local aquarium society, school or aquatic business.
- Seal aquatic plants in plastic bags and dispose in trash.
- Contact veterinarian or pet retailer for guidance on humane disposal of animals.
What Can You Do? Get a Habitattitude!
1. Choose an alternative to release.
2. Share these alternatives and the Habitatittude message with other hobbyists and/or retailers.
(We have resources that make this easy!)
3. Encourage you club, retailer, nursery or agency to join the campaign and help spread its message.
To learn more about organisms causing harm in our waters, visit our aquatic invasive species page.
To learn more about Habitattitude or responsible disposal of unwanted pets and plants visit:
National Habitatattitude
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
Habitattitude Canada
Resources
Got Fish and Aquatic Plants? Get Habitattitude. Newsletter versions available for your use:
Got Fish and Aquatic Plants? Get Habitattitude. (short)
Got Fish and Aquatic Plants? Get Habitattitude. (medium)
Got Fish and Aquatic Plants? Get Habitattitude. (long)
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