New fish named after Obama

[picotank]

Here's a pic of the new freshwater speedy perch they have found in one creek in North America. Not sure where exactly? It's called Etheostoma Obama after the president........

[mistergreen]

Looks like a rainbow darter. The body marking looks different though.

[Elppan]

Oooo what a pretty fish!

[picotank]

I have my net ready and am on my way to Tennessee........... lol

[james1542]

Ah a blending of hard science and politics! What could possibly go wrong here!

Anyone who gets such an awesome fish (Spangled darter) named after they should be honored though.

[AVN]

I'll just leave this here

[plantbrain]

The TVA has done a great deal to destroy the darter populations and species in the region unfortunately. Lots of Freshwater invert species also come from that region. The small stream habits need protection in the south and Eastern USA in a huge way. The entire group is an awesome fish for cool water aquariums and plants do great at the 60-70F ranges also.

[ADJAquariums]

Alrighty! im caliing my Uncle! have him catch me a few! Lol, cool looking fish

[somewhatshocked]

It's me, the thorn in your side.

Just a reminder that we have to avoid the discussion of politics on the forum.

That includes political jokes. Even if they're really funny.

[cookymonster760]

Any idea on the status of this fish is it protected

[cookymonster760]

After a quick google search i found this
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_2245138.html
I also found out that these scientist name a new darter species after a president or vp who has helped the environment, i will set up a tank for these as soon as i come back thats for sure

[Da Plant Man]

I'm in TN right now. If I find it in the creek on my property I will let you guys know I have already found a few different fish that are really cool. I also may have found another aquatic plant. I am trying to find it again so I can take pictures of it.

[james1542]

That might be a bad choice, I just looked at TWRA's 2012 fishing regs, first of all you would need to have a valid fishing license, next you have to use legal gear types, next you need to check if the stream or river you want to collect from has any special rules pertaining to capturing the said fish. Finally, if there is no management or protection in place on these darters they would fall into the category of a "Class C" bait fish, and the rules surrounding those includes:
1) they shall only be used in the water from which they were harvested
2) they shall not be possessed away from the waters from which they were harvested
3) they shall not be imported into Tennessee or exported from Tennessee by anyone
4) They shall not be sold

Oh and to sell baitfish, if they were of a class that could be sold, you would need a bait dealer license.

Also, since there are many diffrent species of darters, some of them ESA listed, and for the most part they look the same, you could easily end up selling an endangered species on the internet, which would be a very bad situation.

And Don't get me wrong, I'm in favor of wild caught ornamental fish-if the proper precautions and regulations are in place-which in this case they are not-and thus collection + sale is illegal.

[somewhatshocked]

I think a lot of us would be satisfied if we could just see about 10,000 cool photos of them in their habitat.

[james1542]

One could try asking TWRA for a collection permit, it is not uncommon for management agencies to issue them to researchers, and museums and such to collect fish and hold them in captivity.