- Joined
- Apr 16, 2009
- Messages
- 55
I am sure all cephalopod keepers have heard about the overcollection of Metasepia pfefferi for the Asian pet trade mentioned at one point or another. It is considered a very rare and prized species in the US and the UK with a hefty price tag. We all can agree that we rarely see Flamboyant cuttlefish available in the pet trade - however, this did not turn out to be the case in Hong Kong, where I live.
On the 30th of March, I spotted a single Flamboyant cuttlefish for sale in a marine LFS in Hong Kong. It was priced at only $50 USD. Two days later on the first of April I bought that cuttlefish, thinking it was a rare find in the aquarium trade, since I had only ever seen M. pfefferi for sale in Hong Kong one other time (and the price tag was much heftier). The very next day, another LFS received a shipment of FIFTEEN young Flamboyant cuttlefish - they are currently on sale for $50 USD each, and a third LFS also had a Flamboyant up for sale. This sudden increase in their availability is proof that concerns over their overcollection are very valid!
The Chinese-speaking aquarist community also no not seem to realize that cuttlefish have short lifespans -the larger flamboyants which seemed full grown at 3-4 inches were priced at $75 USD while the juveniles which were 2 inches long were priced at $50 USD.
On the 30th of March, I spotted a single Flamboyant cuttlefish for sale in a marine LFS in Hong Kong. It was priced at only $50 USD. Two days later on the first of April I bought that cuttlefish, thinking it was a rare find in the aquarium trade, since I had only ever seen M. pfefferi for sale in Hong Kong one other time (and the price tag was much heftier). The very next day, another LFS received a shipment of FIFTEEN young Flamboyant cuttlefish - they are currently on sale for $50 USD each, and a third LFS also had a Flamboyant up for sale. This sudden increase in their availability is proof that concerns over their overcollection are very valid!
The Chinese-speaking aquarist community also no not seem to realize that cuttlefish have short lifespans -the larger flamboyants which seemed full grown at 3-4 inches were priced at $75 USD while the juveniles which were 2 inches long were priced at $50 USD.