>  RR> Actually most" PET STORE" fish are wild caught and the
 >  RR> die off from collecting and shipping from such remote
This is not true.  Either Quantatively nor qualitatively.  In shear numbers 
alone Freshwater fish are largely 'tank' raised.  (or atleast the ones 
typically kept.)
It is true that about 40% are caught in the wild.
 >  RR> parts of the world is very high....FYI all neon tetras
 >  RR> are wild caught in the rainforest of southamerica the
 >  RR> natives ar paid less than 1/4 a cent......and the loss
 >  RR> rate is well over 80%....
Not entirely true.  Many neons are captive bred, although  most are taken 
from the wild.  and in the native aeras where they are found .
Nearly all the guppies, mollies, platties, barbs, tetras are captive bred.
A large number of Goruami, most Bettas, most  goldfish, you name it..
In additon there are many fish only found in our aquariums.  (as there are 
birds only found in captivity) (Plus breeds of dogs, cats)  It is possible 
but I have never seen a Koi in the wild.. it's a sport of the goldfish - also 
not found in it current form in the wild.
Very few aquarist keep wild colored fish.  consider guppies, long fined Zebra 
Danios, Mikey Mouse Platies, Green tiger Barbs, Gold Barbs, the various color 
morphs of the Angelfish (how many aquarist even keep common - natural colored 
angels) and I know of very few - if any wild caught Angels being kept now.  
Most African Cichlids are captive bred.
About the only commonly kept fish that are still largely taken from the wild 
are the neon's, some of the catfish.  And the rarer
'odd' ball fish.
True there are too many fish taken from the wild.  But there are so many 
'captive' bred speci - some seem far more desirable to the average keeper of 
fish.  There is rarely a reason to select a 'wild' cought fish.
--- FMail 1.02
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