Teacher's Corner
CHILDREN'S BOOK TEACHES RESPONSIBLE
AQUARIUM OWNERSHIP
The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is pleased to be partner in the production of "A New Home For An Old Friend," a new children's book that promotes responsible aquarium stewardship in a style reminiscent of Dr. Seuss! This book is a collaboration of the University of Central Florida, the National Sea Grant Program and a consortium of Florida educators. The Tampa Bay Estuary Program assisted with design and printing costs.
"A New Home For An Old Friend" tells a story, in rhyme and illustrations, about a family's search for a new home for their pet lionfish when a move requires them to empty their aquarium. The book explains why aquarium fish shouldn't be released into the wild and presents eco-friendly alternatives. It is designed for Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd grade learners.
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., more Americans own fish than any other animal besides dogs and cats. But releasing these fish into the wild has caused serious economic and environmental impacts. With no natural predators, non-native species can quickly expand, crowding out native species, disrupting entire ecosystems and even posing a danger to humans. The lionfish, for example - a popular aquarium pet that is the subject of this book - has a highly toxic venom in its spines. A lionfish "sting" can be extremely painful and even fatal to humans.
Native to the Indo-Pacific, the lionfish now is widespread in Florida's coastal waters, and has been found as far north as New York. Experts say it is a near certainty that the U.S. population is a result of people releasing lionfish from home aquariums. In fact, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey say that dumping of home aquariums is responsible for one-quarter of all the non-native fish currently found in our waterways!
Since children are often directly involved in caring for home aquariums, we hope they will pass on the important messages in the book to their parents, to prevent their pets from becoming invasive pests.
» Please click here to request your free copy.
