Buster The Cuddly Catfish Says A Fish Is For Life,
Not Just For Christmas
photo ©Julia Claxton
The uncertain future of the ‘tankbusters’ prompted a special visitor to drop in on Brighton Sea Life Centre.
Tankbusters is the generic term given to tropical fish which outgrow their aquarium tanks.
Brighton Sea Life has a massive 78,000 litre display which is home to more than 40 such fish…rescued from, or donated by, owners who had no idea they would reach that size when they bought them.
It is a growing problem – literally – which has now become the subject of a concerted campaign by the British And Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
‘Buster’ the official mascot of BIAZA’s Big Fish Campaign stopped by in Brighton to help spread the word, accompanied by staff from home-aquarium supplier Maidenhead Aquatics.
“Buster is a red-tailed catfish,” said Curator Carey Duckhouse. “We have a few in our display which people bought when they were tiddlers, not realising they can grow to more than four feet long.
“The Big Fish Campaign is all about educating people to avoid making that kind of mistake, and also persuading fish shops to stop stocking such species.”
Visitors were encouraged to hug Buster to see how difficult it is to get their arms round his massive girth.
“This campaign is important because many aquariums like ours have run out of space to house refugees from home aquariums.
“We want to discourage purchases to avoid owners having to take drastic action when they can’t find a new home for their massive pets.”
Issued by Brighton Sea Life Centre
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