The global ornamental fish trade moves hundreds of millions of fish annually from wild reefs and freshwater systems to home aquaria. Welfare losses occur at every stage of collection, transport and captive keeping.
Welfare losses in the ornamental fish trade are systemic and largely invisible to the consumer who sees only the apparently healthy fish in a retailer's tank. Cyanide-caught marine fish die slowly from liver damage after purchase; transport stress kills millions before they reach retail; home aquaria that are too small, wrong temperature or incompatibly stocked cause chronic stress and premature death. The welfare case for purchasing only captive-bred fish, from reputable retailers with documented collection practices, for tanks of adequate size and appropriate species composition is overwhelming. The aquarium hobby can support marine conservation through responsible practice, or undermine it through irresponsible purchasing.