The marine aquarium trade captures millions of coral reef fish each year using methods that cause significant welfare harm and mortality. Understanding the issues informs better consumer choices.
Cyanide-caught fish experience toxin-induced organ damage that causes delayed death — fish may appear healthy in a shop tank but die weeks later from progressive liver failure. Even non-cyanide net capture causes stress injuries including scale loss and swim bladder damage from rapid pressure changes. Transport in small bags with insufficient oxygenation causes oxygen stress. The cumulative mortality in the trade from reef to consumer represents enormous welfare losses. Captive-bred fish avoid these welfare harms and also protect reef populations.