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I have recently posted asking if anyone knew the reason as to why Zebra Pleco's weren't allowed in australia and if anyone knew how i could get them. Well i've since followed up with Australian customs and quarantine and they have given me some phone numbers to get in touch with people over here that may be able lift the restriction ban on Zebra Pleco's, so that Australians will be able to buy them here. I've been giving serious thought to this and think that i might start a petition to put forward to them.

Just wondering if people think i would have enough support from other people in the hobby to warrant a petition?

Just on another note the reason why they are restricted in australia i was told it is because some government agencies here think the Zebra Pleco is a pest.
So i gave the man at quarantine quite a few website addresses and he's going to do some research and see what he can do at that end.

I wish you lots of luck with the petition Angel.
I was under the impression that only a certain amount of fish are allowed on our import list at any given time - so if zebra plec is put on, they will take something else off.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Oh bother... Well it's the age old equation isnt it. To every positive there is a negative. I'll ring quarantine back tomorrow and find out if that is true. Starting to look like i'll be moving to america LOL I've just sent an email to DEH asking for information. So we'll see how we go.

Haha most the fish we have in aus arent on the list, lots of people are trying hard at the moment to get all different types of fish in (even common bristlenose arent allowed in) good luck though some info on the ace forums should help you out!!


http://ace.ipbhost.com/index.php?act=idx

I am on your side Angel...waiting to see zebra plec in Aust. fish shops at "reasonable" prices.

BlAcK_rHiNo thanks for that info, i never knew that bristlenose's weren't allowed, however i won't be using that as a debate, knowing my luck i'd manage to get that banned too, so i'll steer clear of that one, Thanks for the link i'm heading over there now.

Thanks Week End, I've been ringing every where trying to find out what to do and where to go and have finally got to the top of the ranks (cost me more in phone calls then the fish are...hahahaha). The reason i'm taking this further is because
A) I really want some
B) I know others want them as well
C) They told me they are banned because they are pests.
If the reason they are prohibited was understandable then i probably would have dropped the whole thing. But lets get serious here what is a Zebra Pleco compared to the the fact that the australian government let the European Carp into australian waters. I'm even trying to apply for exemptions to the restrictions based on only getting males imported that way if they are ever released then they can't breed. Although why any one would want to release them is beyond me.

I'll let you know how i go and if i get a petition going i'll send you the link if your interested.

Also thanks for the support


[span class="edited"][Edited by Angel2211 2004-08-17 09:33][/span]

[span class="edited"][Edited by Angel2211 2004-08-17 09:35][/span]

At the very least, Zebra Plecs are too valuable to purposely be let into the environment, so that's one point for them. :%)

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Thanks Shinigami, You've just given me the idea to start a running sheet on pro's & con's of Zebra Pleco's to help the petition, and you've got the first one on it. So thanks for that idea. Do you think i should start another post asking people for ideas or do you think people would read it here?

Thats great i wish you lots of luck!! Although aparantly i was asking around and there IS being a proposition put forward that any fish that are not on the allowable import list or havent been in the last 5 years they shall be declared noxious and we will ont be able to keep them!!! just thought id let you know about that point

Thanks BlAcK_rHiNo i'm actually stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment. I got an email today from DEH. Stating that they are currently considering placing the zebra pleco on the importation list and was asked that if i had information that i thought would be relevant to the riskes posed by the Hypancistrus Zebra to the environment or if my views differed to those expressed in the draft report then to get in contact DEH.
So at the moment i'm debating whether to go a head with the application or not. If i apply then i have cost's involved with paying for an independent person or whoever they chose to write a written report to put forward. However if they are considering them already i'm thinking i'm probably best to wait and see what happens as far as applying to get them on the AIL.

I am still seriously thinking of doing the research that would be involved and sending to DEH as well as starting the petition to set forth to DEH aswell.
Thank you very much for your reply, it was very much appreciated.



If you have any information that you think would be relevant to the risks posed by Hypancistrus zebra to the environment, or if your views differ to those expressed in the draft report, I would encourage you to contact DEH in this regard.