Safari Ltd endangered Arizona fish models--source!

Hi all,

So a couple of years ago I provided a walkaround of a strange Safari model--a Desert Pupfish Cyprinodon macularius!

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At the time, all we knew was that it was a special release of some kind, and that safety data also existed for a second figure--the Razorback Sucker Xyrauchen texanus (but I couldn't find one).

Later, I was able to get a third species--a Bonytail Chub Gila elegans! I...never got around to posting the walkaround. I should do that.

But here is a picture of the two:

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It was then determined that there were at least 5 figures--thanks to illegal copies being spld on Chinese sites like Taobao and Alibaba. The other two were an Apache Trout Oncorhynchus apache and a Loach Minnow Rhinichthys cobitis

Almost immediately, I spotted a Twitter post featuring a 6th species--a Colorado Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius

We even had a few photos of most (again, most from the bootlegs. Please don't buy those, for reasons that will be forthcoming). The Pikeminnow photo came from the Twitter photo.

BUT--we didn't really know anything more about who had them made, or how they were distributed. Even though the belly of the figures gave the clue we all kind of ignored!

And now I know where to get (5 of) them.

The bellys says "Marsh and Associates", but google searches provide no details. But I was recently given this link:

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And was able to order 3 of the species (the razorbacks are all gone).

In speaking to Beverly, the GM of Marsh & Associates, the line was created as a fundraising project for their research and education on the very endangered Arizona fish species. The Razorback, being the most popular, is currently out of stock (but you can get plush ones! I didn't...)

So now we know where to get them--so please, purchase them directly. They aren't expensive. Shipping 3 of them to Canada was only $9 or so--and it directly supports their education and public awareness work.

They are considering a second run of the Razorback as well--but a Safari run requries 5000 figures, which is a lot of investment!

Also, the site claims that they are out of the Loach Minnow, but I was able to order one by emailing directly, I suggest you all do the same!

And, again, please don't order the Chinese copies. I am sure they are the same figures...but none of that money will go to the organization that needs it. Plus, bootlegging is what drove K&M and Play Visions to stop their high-end figure production (their models kept getting ripped off, especially PV, so they just quit) and we don't need to be encouraging that.

Also, here are good photos of all 6:
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L->R Bonytail, Razorback sucker, Pikeminnow, Pupfish, Loach minnow, Apache trout

I can't believe you tracked them down! I can't believe I missed the clue on the stamp of my bony tail. Now I want them badly but I don't know if I can budget them right now... Thank you for your hard work finding the series and sharing with us all, I think its a very exciting find!

Ah, the fishes from Taobao Congratulations that you found that treasures :)

Thankyou very much for this interesting info and links

And congratulations with your wonderful finds

widukind wrote:

Ah, the fishes from Taobao  Congratulations that you found that treasures :)

That's the ones...just please don't buy those ones.

Even if it's the only way to get the Razorback...

Success! Despite the attempts of the USPS and Canada Post...not sure which...I was able to get most of the Arizona fishes from Marsh & Associates!

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I already had the Bonytail Chub (centre front) and Desert pupfish (back right).

The new ones are Colorado Pikeminnow (upper left), Apache Trout (front left) and Loach Minnow (front right).

They are very cool! Now I just need to hunt down a Razorback sucker!

And most are still available from the Marsh & Associates site--I got the last Loach minnow, and they are out of razorbacks.

But the others are still there. And you can get stickers and a plush razorback as well!

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They are wonderful What a great catch !! Good that it is not neccesary to let these out again

Thankyou for sharing the links

Are five beautiful fishes.

Congrats.

landrover wrote:

Are five beautiful fishes.

Congrats.

Thanks, I'm pretty excited to have them.

The loach minnow is especially pretty. It's not a fish I was even aware of!

Congrats on those fish! I got mine this past monday and they really are neat models. I wasn't able to get the loach minnow or razorback but now I have 4/5. It was sort of neat too because I got to see some of these species in person at an aquarium I visited last week and then I got nearly life sized versions of them in the mail. Anyways, big congrats on your sought after fish!

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Congrats on those fish! I got mine this past monday and they really are neat models. I wasn't able to get the loach minnow or razorback but now I have 4/5. It was sort of neat too because I got to see some of these species in person at an aquarium I visited last week and then I got nearly life sized versions of them in the mail. Anyways, big congrats on your sought after fish!

I was really lucky to get the loach minnow. My first order was lost or stuck in transit. They put in a lost item ticket and went to resend my order.

But were out of the minnows.

And then they found just one more! I was really excited that I got it. Plus a bunch of stickers. My original order was going to include a tag for all 6 species, but they didn't have any more for the fish I wasn't ordering. Too bad since I never got one with my pup fish or bony tail

These are amazing finds! Congratulations on getting so many. They seem a little bit much for my collection right now, but I definitely appreciate the tip on how to find them.

barracudacat wrote:

These are amazing finds!  Congratulations on getting so many.  They seem a little bit much for my collection right now, but I definitely appreciate the tip on how to find them.

They are very cool--and there is nothing like them from anywhere else.

I would really like to see more of the smaller, lesser-known or marginalized species made as figures from anywhere. It can't be all well-known sports fish all the time.

I don't know what they have for stock for the remaining four species, but for a fish collector they are very worthwhile to add to the shelves!

Many congratulations, Sean! Those that know your collecting interests, surely have a little perception how much happy you are for finding these very interesting and illusive collectibles. I'd love to have your pictures on TAI, I am creating a page to them and only two are pictured.

Roger wrote:

Many congratulations, Sean! Those that know your collecting interests, surely have a little perception how much happy you are for finding these very interesting and illusive collectibles. I'd love to have your pictures on TAI, I am creating a page to them and only two are pictured.

Of course!

Loach Minnow:
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Colorado Pike Minnow:
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Apache Trout:
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And, though I don't yet have one, there is also a Razorback Sucker. The other two I have are the Bonytail chub and the Desert Pupfish. I should also take better pictures of those other two fish...and a lot of my other figures...eventually.

The name of the series should be changed to Marsh Education. That is the Arizona organization that commissioned the models and does the work for the endangered fishes there. The good news is that at least 4 of the species are still available for sale!

Great that you find these fishes :)

sbell wrote:

The name of the series should be changed to Marsh Education. That is the Arizona organization that commissioned the models and does the work for the endangered fishes there. The good news is that at least 4 of the species are still available for sale!

Thanks for providing these great pictures, Sean! Before I introduce them on TAI. I need to clear some things up first.
About the name of the series, do you mean it should be called Marsh Education Endangered Arizona Fishes? Also, do you have any idea of their product numbers?

Roger wrote:

sbell wrote:

The name of the series should be changed to Marsh Education. That is the Arizona organization that commissioned the models and does the work for the endangered fishes there. The good news is that at least 4 of the species are still available for sale!

Thanks for providing these great pictures, Sean! Before I introduce them on TAI. I need to clear some things up first.
About the name of the series, do you mean it should be called Marsh Education Endangered Arizona Fishes? Also, do you have any idea of their product numbers?

I found their parent site. It is called the Native Fish Lab of Marsh & Associates [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

As for product numbers...they don't have any. The two that we know--the Pupfish and Razorback--came from quality test reports online. The tags on the fish that I received don't have any numbering at all Just information about the fishes.

Thanks again Sean, now the TAI page is like that.

Roger wrote:

Thanks again Sean, now the TAI page is like that.

Looks good! Except the photo being used for the Razorback Sucker is actually the bonytail chub.

From their own site:
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The bonytail is on the far left--the razorback is the big, weird brown and yellow one second from the left.

Thanks Sean, I think it is fixed now. You explain it well through your topics but maybe the reports lead me to a wrong edition.

Roger wrote:

Thanks Sean, I think it is fixed now. You explain it well through your topics but maybe the reports lead me to a wrong edition.

To be fair, I originally thought it was a Razorback--partly because I only knew of the existence of the Pupfish and Razorback; and partly because I didn't know what a Bonytail Chub was!

Toys have led to learning! Vision Board Actualized!

Couldn't agree more! Also, I enjoy your honesty.

[quote="sbell"]

Roger wrote:

......
Toys have led to learning! Vision Board Actualized!

Even to you, who knows so much !!!

Just bought myself the desert pupfish and the bonytail! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] thanks for the website!

K907 wrote:

Just bought myself the desert pupfish and the bonytail! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] thanks for the website!

That's awesome! They are amazing models, and their sales go to a good cause.