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The choice to purchase captive bred and reared versus
wild-collected livestock is clear on a few valid points. Compared to the
wild, captives are far hardier; more likely to live in your system.
They’re already trained to accept commercially prepared, available
foods; whereas wild specimens may not recognize, nor feed on much of
anything you offer. Captives are far less aggressive; and hence more
likely to get along with your other livestock.
There are only two genuine complaints you can find advancing wild-caught
over aquacultured specimens: First, that the captive-produced are
smaller in size to start with… a matter of economics. And secondly that
they cost a bit more than wild-collected; which I would definitely argue
that the fact that aquacultured specimens by and large outlive wild
greatly outweighs their slightly higher price up-front.
Some Captive-Produced Fish Examples:
There are several dozen fish species cultured for the ornamental trade
nowayears; as well as many invertebrates and macro-algae for our use.
Here is a smattering of fish group choices.
Clownfishes: First and Foremost:
The original aquacultured marine fishes
Gobies, Family Gobiidae: Though many species
of gobies of this large family have been captively spawned and reared,
only the Cleaner Gobies, principally of the genus Gobiosoma are
presently commercially produced. Along with the Clownfishes the cleaner
gobies make up the bulk of the ornamental marine fish culture market.
Dottybacks, Family Pseudochromidae: Dottybacks
can be very aggressive when wild-collected. As with many cultured
freshwater fishes, captive-produced generations are much more easygoing.
Cardinalfishes, Family Apogonidae: A few
species of this male-mouthbrooding family have been spawned and reared
in captivity. As of now, the only commercially valuable species under
culture is the Banggai Cardinal.
Seahorses (and related Pipefishes)
are both collected in the wild and captive-produced. Unless you’re up
for a real challenge, or want to try breeding a new species; or both
(!), I’d definitely go with aquacultured species/specimens.
Other cultured stocks include more fish families, snails
like conchs, large red, green and brown algae… All of these are superior
for aquarium use coming from aquacultured sources. The only valid reason
for buying the same species from the wild is it being otherwise not
available, or your earnest desire to attempt culture yourself.
Cloze:
The choice is clear where there are both wild-caught and
captive-produced individuals of the same species available for purchase.
Though ones “made in captivity” are generally smaller, perhaps a bit
more expensive; THEY LIVE much more often and longer than
wild-collected. Do yourself and the planet a favor and cast your vote
for aquacultured livestock: Less wear and tear on the environment; no
imported pathogenic disease issues, readily accepting of readily
available foods, and no captive-system issues.
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