BZA CARE Initiative
Blue Zoo Aquatics Launches the Conscientious Aquarist Restricted Entry (CARE) Initiative

The Conscientious Aquarist Restricted Entry (CARE) displays a Banggai Cardinalfish as emblematic.

Conscientious Aquarist Restricted Entry (CARE) is a designation Blue Zoo Aquatics has started to apply to certain species we elect to self-regulate. Some might ask why on earth we would self-regulate a species that is legal to sell and for which we can make a healthy profit, but theres really no question in our minds. At Blue Zoo Aquatics it has always been all about the animals, and the new CARE species designation is simply an extension of that sentiment.

As you surf the Blue Zoo website, you will see that some animals such as the bicolor parrotfish are now designated in the Curators Notes box as CARE species. This means that we have voluntarily elected to restrict the sale of that animal either because of the species status in the wild or its general unsuitability for the majority of home aquaria. Because Blue Zoo Aquatics commonly works with public aquaria, researchers and advanced aquarists, we do offer CARE species for sale, but we request you contact us first to discuss the animals husbandry requirements.

At Blue Zoo, we believe that a sustainable hobby is in everyones best interest, and we think that self-regulation is always preferable to regulation imposed by people who may not understand fisheries, the marine aquarium industry or the role that marine aquarists tend to play in tropical reef conservation. We believe that having an aquarium in ones home deepens ones appreciation for the magnificent species we keep and the ecosystems from which they come. It is our philosophy that a knowledgeable and conscientious hobbyist is in a better position to conserve coral reefs and coral reef species than someone who has only seen a blueface angel (Pomacanthus xanthometopon or a moon coral (Favia spp.) in a book.

We will continue to strive to offer our customers only the healthiest livestock collected in the most sustainable manner, and we will constantly be re-evaluating the status of various animals we have traditionally sold. We hope you will support the CARE initiative, and we would love to hear any feedback or thoughts you might have.

Published 24 June 2008. Blue Zoo Aquatics