Marine Breeding

[jambo1238]

Hello everyone,

Recently, one of my friends told me that the majority of marine fish in aquariums are wild caught, and can not be bred in an aquarium.

This has completely shocked me, is it true?

Also, if it is true. How long will the general marine population hold out for?

As i won't be able to start a marine aquarium for a few years.

I know i sound extreme, but i love the thought of a marine aquarium, and i want there to be some left for me.

Hope someone can help. Many thanx

 

[Matthew5664]

About 2% of fish and 10-15% of the corals in the aquatic trade are farmed, the rest are wild caught. Something is being done about this however saltwater fish are very hard to breed in captivity. As for corals the fragging of coral is a wide spread activity now and the exchanging of these frags should be encouraged wherever possible.

 

[AK77]

One of the fish I have, the Banggai Cardinal, is now on the endangered list as a result of over collecting. I was pleased to learn that they are now being captive bred. Virtually all clownfish (nemo's - not sure on the other clown species) are captive bred and wild caught ones are listed as such and charged at a premium.

 

[Ben L]

In some places the fish collecting actually helps sustain the reef populations as the local people can earn more money collecting fish for the ornamental trade than they can by dynamite fishing. So it can help protect the reefs from destruction, also a lot of collectors know that if they overfish then there wont be a living for them there in ten years time. Its fishing for food that really threatens reef habitat.

 

[eschaton]

I've done some extensive research into what's captive-bred in the marine hobby and what's not. This is pretty much it: Please note, this doesn't mean all specimens are - in some cases captive-bred specimens are rare. But captive-bred fish are commercially available.

All common clownfish species
Most Dottybacks of the Pesudochromis genus
Gobies: Most of the "cleaner" genus (including non-cleaners like greenbanded and redheaded). yellow and citron clown gobies. A few watchmen gobies.
The "fangblennies" of the Meiacanthus genus
Royal Gramma
Blackcap Basslet
Yellow Assessor
Blue Assessor
Marine Betta
Bangaii Cardinal
Pajama Cardinal
Half Moon Angelfish
Various Seahorses
Pilotfish
Emperor Snapper

In addition, Conches, Giant Clams, and a few Anemones are available captive-bred regularly. Various cleaner shrimp can be bred in captivity by hobbyists, but it's so expensive the results aren't commercially viable on a mass scale compared to scooping them up in the wild. A few snails like Trochus and some Cerith can breed in captivity, but most other CUC members are wild-caught.

 

[Lynden]

In some places the fish collecting actually helps sustain the reef populations as the local people can earn more money collecting fish for the ornamental trade than they can by dynamite fishing. So it can help protect the reefs from destruction, also a lot of collectors know that if they overfish then there wont be a living for them there in ten years time. Its fishing for food that really threatens reef habitat.

Indeed, most reef fish species can rebound easily from moderate collection (much easier than can larger birds, reptiles) and far more devastating activities are cyanide and dynamite fishing for the food trade. In addition, areas used for collection for aquaria are likely to be used mostly or only for this, thus preventing bottom trawling (amoung others), which is in my opinion the most ecologically destructive harvesting method ever conceived.

It is easy to speak of import bans and restrictions on wild caught life, but unless the underlying problem is adressed these will be harming the very resources they intend to save.

 

[Musho3210]

yes, most are wild caught. Very few are bred at mass quantities (false percula clownfish are the highest bred saltwater fish i think and most of these that you see at a store is farm bred not wild caught). Many fish have been bred like was said on that list up there but very few of those is actually done in mass quantites.

 

[jambo1238]

I find it quite disturbing, that the majority of fish we love will not be here forever.

What does everyone else think about that?

 

[AK77]

Well it comes down to sensible management and actually addressing the problems of cyanide and dynamite fishing and the local economies of where the fish are collected. Realising that rather than using something to exhaustion and mistreating it, will damage the people as a result. Its like in Africa, shooting animals with a camera is probably more popular that shooting them with a gun now. It doesnt deplete animal numbers and generates huge sums for the economy from tourism.

Similarly, rather than hunting whales, some companies now offer tour guide services. Educating people and taking things in moderation so that the ecosystems are sustainable is the key.

 

[n3ont3tra]

I find it quite disturbing, that the majority of fish we love will not be here forever.What does everyone else think about that?

Nothing lasts forever.

edit: I think a few kinds of seahorses and pipefish are captive bred.

 

[Musho3210]

there is lots (i dont think its enough but still) being done to regulate wild caught things to make sure the eco-system comes first, and then humans. There are many many many regulations against collection in the caribbean sea on american soil (sand whatever).

 

[snowclown]

I would say the main reason why we are not able to "Home" breed more of our marine fish, is due to many species prefering to spawn at extreme depths. These conditions can,t be replicated in captivity!

 

[Musho3210]

I would say the main reason why we are not able to "Home" breed more of our marine fish, is due to many species prefering to spawn at extreme depths. These conditions can,t be replicated in captivity!

well why not, we could give them a pressurized chamber and subdued lighting.

 

[snowclown]

can you immagine having a pressurized chamber in your lounge! just one small fault developing in a seam, POW!!! LoL.

 

[Musho3210]

well in a home probably not unless you are really dedicated, but in captivity it is very possible. I didnt see the "home" bred part of your post but i saw the in captivity part of your post, just confused me