Exotic pet and aquarium releases are becoming growing pathways in the numbers of species that become introduced.

Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus). Photo: Pam Fuller, USGS

Pet owners often don't know enough about the animal they are puchasing to make a wise decision.

• Make sure you know the laws reguarding pet ownership in your area.
• Find out how large it grows! That cute baby python will get a whole lot bigger and harder to handle!
• Find out what it eats. Make sure you can supply (and afford) the correct type of food, both now and into the future as it grows.
• What kind of housing will it need? Now and in the future...
• Does it have habits that may annoy you? Digging up the plants in your aquarium, screaming, being active during the night, becoming aggressive during breeding season?

People who make uninformed pet selections may grow tired of the animal's "short-comings" or expense and release it thinking they are doing the animal a favor by "setting it free". Often these animals cannot survive in the areas where they are release and suffer a slow death due to starvation or exposure.

Blue gravel in river indicating dumped aquarium. Photo: USGS

Not only is it not good for the pet, but it's not good for the environment either.  These animals can carry parasites and diseases that will infect native species.  If they do survive, the will compete with natives for food, shelter, and space.

There are many alternatives to release. The Habitattitude Campaign suggests the following:

• Contact retailer for proper handling advice or for possible returns
• Give/trade with another aquarist, pond owner, or water gardener
• Donate to a local aquarium society, school, or aquatic business
• Seal aquatic plants in plastic bags and dispose in trash
• Contact veterinarian or pet retailer for guidance about humane disposal of animals