Why do I keep Native Fish at all, when I can observe them outside for free...
Hmm...Where to start ...First off I really cant observe and study fish in 
meaningfull  any way except through the Aquarium. I can only see from above 
and by their Nature Fish are very good at avoiding being observed from 
bove..
.The Second reason is conservation..Are you aware that almost nothing is 
known about the rearing and breeding habits of most non game fish ? Are you 
aware that every year on this continent an amature fish head is likley to 
discover a new species ? Are you aware that in the past 20 years almost 100 
North American Native  Fish species have become extinct and in almost every 
case they could have been saved by a single guy with a fish room and 
knowledge of the rearing of those fish...I know of people who keep endangered 
species in their basement spawn them and release the young every year to the 
original sight...A single act with eternal consequences as they say....
.Finally I love the outdoors and I know that other people won't care about 
the outdoors until they know it , and they won't know it until they see it 
and they wont see our fishes looking aT  the top of a pond or creek they will 
however  be able to see them through an article with photo's or an aquarium 
show or by visiting someone keeping North American Natives....In the end we 
will only preserve what we love and will only love what we know !!!        
Thats why I do it....So someday my Grandkids can..
--- Maximus/2 3.01
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