Coral groupers are among the most prized live reef fish in Asian seafood markets, with severe welfare impacts from cyanide capture, live transport, and extended holding in inadequate conditions.
Coral grouper welfare in the live reef fish trade is severely compromised throughout the supply chain. Cyanide capture causes disorientation, gill damage, and organ toxicity with high post-capture mortality in the following days. Survivors may have compromised liver and kidney function affecting long-term welfare. Transport in crowded bags causes oxygen depletion and mechanical injury. Extended restaurant holding in small tanks at high density causes chronic stress and immune compromise. Eliminating cyanide fishing through enforcement and developing certified trap-based capture methods would substantially improve welfare throughout this major trade.