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New hobbyists are often dismayed to find that many of the
organisms offered for sale in our interest are poorly suited to captive
conditions. In fact; there are several that are not known to have eaten
aquarium foods… ever. Other species get too large, are too mean, aren’t
even tropical!!!
So; why are these errant fishes (and more) actually proffered at fish
stores? The simplest answer is “because they sell”; but as usual, there
is a more involved, total answer. There’s a “founder” (or flounder)
effect that is a type of social inertia in the trade, where fishes that
have been caught for decades… just continue to be captured, sold through
the chain of custody: collector, wholesaler, perhaps jobber,
transhipper… retailer and etailers… to the end user, you and I, the
aquarist. To some extent, these animals are more common/numerous, easier
to catch, and may well ship well… and live for a while.
Here I’ll make up some general categories, elaborate on what they mean;
and cite some species in each that show up very regularly for sale in
the trade.
Bad Species: Poor Capture, Transport, or
Adaptability Record:
One outright contraindicated behavior to avoid in livestock
selection is death itself; some species, for whatever unknown reasons,
don't generally live through the rigors of collection, holding and
shipping. This list of “poor survival fishes” is quite long. Some
too-often seen:
Size Matters: Both Too Big and Too Small:
There is an optimal range of better to best sizes for each species of
fish. Too little ones can’t take the rigors of capture, non-feeding… Too
large ones also ship poorly, rubbing themselves raw often, and adapt
poorly to captive conditions. In-between is the “sweet spot” for each.
Others rarely live any length of time regardless of size;
Does the Species
Eat Captive
Foods?
Know that a species historical feeding record has little to do with the
fact that it is being offered in the trade. There are organisms that
have scarcely known to have eaten anything in captivity.
Toxic Life:
There is a surprisingly large number of venomous, otherwise toxic fish
species in the world; some are sold as pets.
Too Big Boys (and Girls):
Some fishes sold as juveniles are oh-so cute! But, a few of them
are real tank busters.
Chilly Willy:
A woeful mention of coldwater life placed in tropical aquarium
waters. Yes; there are non-warm water species sold in the trade that
won’t live at high temperature.
Cloze:
So; are the folks in the pet fish industry a bunch of charlatans;
heartlessly selling livestock that they know full-well is not likely to
fare in our captive systems? I think not… Many are simply ignorant of
how touchy some of the life they sell is; passing on what seems to be
hearty specimens to willing consumers. The better stores and etailers DO
their best to inform would-be purchasers of issues they may well face
with given species, geographical varieties, and size ranges of marine
fishes. Quite a few shops eschew carrying “doomed species” period.
As consumers, it is up to each of us to arm ourselves with
knowledge, and either avoid these poor choices, or at least be aware of
their inherent challenge. It is ultimately up to you to cast your votes
with your money in buying or leaving what you consider of value and not.
Do be aware that your actions in turn strongly influence what will go on
to be caught and cultured. Choose well.
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