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- THE
AMAZING CREATURE!
- In Hawaii,
these are known as "OPAE-ULA." "OPAE" means "small
shrimp." "ULA" means "lobsters." Full grown adults
are about 1/2" so we call them "MICRO-LOBSTERS!™" They are one of
several crustaceans that inhabit the anchialine ponds. They are basically a herbivore,
while others tend to be carnivorous. These are social non-aggressive lovable creatures!
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- THE
ANCHIALINE PONDS
- To some
anchialine ponds represent an opportunity to improve upon nature! Wealthy people are
moving to Hawaii and purchasing valuable beach front property that include natural ponds
that are the home of opae-ula and other pond creatures. But to make them more attractive,
beautiful larger colorful Koi carp are introduced and soon the opae-ula disappear!
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- PONDS
& OPAE-ULA!
- A photo
gallery of anchialine ponds and opae-ula. These show healthy ponds and good to high
opae-ula populations. The study of the best ponds provide clues to factors that will
result in superior steady captive breeding mass culture system production.
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SETTING UP AN EXHIBIT AT
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK The
first major Anchialine Pond and Opae'ula exhibit has been developed at the
visitor center. This is the behind the scenes story of how it came about and
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OPENING THE EXHIBIT AT
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
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A major presentation by Dr. Scott Santos and unveiling the exhibit.
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-
OAHU CORAL HABITAT
-
Oahu is much older and the ocean once had a higher
water level. This created a coral reef, and as the water level dropped,
the coral became exposed and the habitat for opae'ula on Oahu. Is
the Oahu opae'ula a different specie?
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- MICRO-LOBSTER
REPRODUCTION RESEARCH
-
Fuku-Bonsai has established as it's priority research goal to develop mass cultural
systems to commercially reproduce opae-ula in significant quantities. This will prevent
them from every be classified as "endangered." This is significant as it is not
possible for people to have endangered creatures as pets! We share our data and request
assistance from everyone as we compile data.
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- REPRODUCTION
CYCLE SUMMARY
- The six-step
cycle begins with molting and progresses through egg, larvae, post-lavae, juvenile, and
adult. By knowing the associated details of each stage, we better understand the
conditions necessary to develop mass cultural systems. Much of the knowledge gained to
date are due to members of the Fuku-Bonsai Micro-Lobster Team and those with strong
interest, skills, and a willingness to contribute are invited to join us!
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- EVOLUTION
OF OPAE-ULA ECOSYSTEMS
- One early
trial began in 1988 by Dr. Wayne Nishijima, the head of the University of Hawaii at
Manoa's Cooperative Extension Service in Hilo. Although Dr. Nishijima is a plant
pathologist, he took the initiative when a major public furor erupted when an aggressive
developer brazenly sent in bulldozers on Christmas eve to fill in anchialine ponds.
Fuku-Bonsai's Micro-Lobster Breeder Tanks are based upon his principles plus the addition
of feeding high-energy microalgae.
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- FUKU-BONSAI'S
BREAKTHROUGH DISCOVERY!
- In a zoo, it
is easy to see if the provided environment is suitable for a lion. If it's extremely
skinny and haggard, it's probaby not fed enough. If it's almost lifeless and allows small
animals to no respect it, it's spirit has been broken. But if it retains it's size,
it's personality, is active, and successfully reproduces in captivity, we can agree its a
good environment. We used these criteria to develop an ideal Micro-Lobster
environment.
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- OPTIMUM
ENVIRONMENTS!
- To produce the
finest Micro-Lobster units, it was necessary to first identify the factors that make up
optimum environments . . . but from the viewpoint of opae-ula!
These were addressed as we developed our units!
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- THREE
TYPES OF OPAE-ULA UNITS!
- Sealed
glass eco-systems have been around for 20 years or so with only light entering. Another
"open top-no feed" unit promotes "the perfect pets that never need to be
fed." Fuku-Bonsai's Breeder Tanks are the third wave and based upon feeding
pets and creating a sustainable breeding colony!
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- AQUARIUMS, CAPTIVE BREEDING & MASS CULTURE
SYSTEMS
- In spite of
all threats, the opae-ula will likely never become endangered. They're just too
prolific when given secure habitats. But they may not be legally available in the future
if the anchialine ponds are not restored or if mass culture systems are not developed.
Anchialine pond management plans are part of new resorts. Exotic fish will be
removed and opae-ula will quickly recolonize the ponds. Commercial harvesting is
increasingly being regulated and enforced. Fuku-Bonsai has become a pace-setter in
captive breeding and mass culture systems and the leading advocate of introducing these
into educational systems!
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- TEACHING SUSTAINABILITY & NATURE!
- There
are lessons of nature that must be taught to build an appreciation and to create a
sustainable planet. As the world becomes more populated, it becomes essential that
we conserve resources and develop managed aquaculture projects rather than totally deplete
natural resources. We join with others in this challenge to create a world of man
and nature in harmony!
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