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Captive Bred Fish

The last decade has seen enormous advancements in the culture of marine ornamental fish. It might seem as though there is some announcement of the first-time rearing of some new species every other day now. Aside from the obvious benefits for the natural environment, this trend has been a significant boon for saltwater aquarists from beginner to expert. It should be immediately obvious why; frankly any animal raised in captivity is going to be more adapted to captive conditions.

Imagine a wild fish, just minding its own business, swimming around in the ocean, doing its thing like countless ancestors before it. Then, out of nowhere comes the net (or in some cases a mini spear gun!). This may or may not be preceded by a shot of sodium cyanide (you never really know for sure). The fish is crowded into a holding tank with many other fish and eventually transported to a holding facility. Then to another. And perhaps another. But then, some number of days later, there is the big day—the big flight. It may or may not have eaten by then. So it might already be hungry, but it certainly won’t be eating during this trip. After a day, or two, or maybe even three, of wallowing in its own wastes and choking for oxygen, it arrives somewhere. By then the pH is dangerously low… the transport water may be extremely warm, or cold…

And just when it needs relief more than ever, now comes the worst part: unboxing and acclimation. It has spent days in total darkness, only to be blinded suddenly by bright light and jerked from the box. It’s stressed, panicking even. Then shocked as it is immersed in water of very different chemistry, something it has never had to cope with before it its ever stable ocean home. Home… not what it seems as it is finally netted again (not again!) and plunked into--a tiny glass box. A miniscule, rough representation of where it grew up. Exhausted and shaken, it’s now an easy victim for the pathogens and parasites it was exposed to in the numerous holding systems along the way. And it does get sick. But will it survive?

Maybe the above narrative is a bit dramatic. But that is essentially the reality for a wild-caught fish. Contrast that with a farmed fish, raised from a larva in the same glass box. Already adapted to a life in captivity. Adapted to aquarium food. Accustomed to a human, even with a hand in the tank. It’s hard to frighten such an animal, which is more likely to start begging for food at your approach. Certainly, it is comparatively very rare for a captive bred fish to contract and spread diseases. Especially if you’ve worked in aquarium shops or hatcheries, the difference between wild and cultured fish is day and night.

In this section you will learn the differences between wild and cultured fish, with in-depth information on select captive bred species.

72 Posts

Aquacultured Fish

Is There Really a Difference Between Wild-Caught and Aquacultured Marine Aquarium Livestock?

Is There Really a Difference Between Wild-Caught and Aquacultured Marine Aquarium Livestock? These days, when it comes to aquarium
Read More about Is There Really a Difference Between Wild-Caught and Aquacultured Marine Aquarium Livestock?

Enhancing the Diet of Captive Marine Animals with Live Brine Shrimp

The marine aquarium hobby looks little like it did when it first became popularized decades ago. Nowadays, it might seem as though a
Read More about Enhancing the Diet of Captive Marine Animals with Live Brine Shrimp

Mandarin Fish

Feeding the Mandarin Fish

For so many aquarists, the green mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) is a must-have species. Its endearing personality, exquisite
Read More about Feeding the Mandarin Fish

A green mandarin on the substrate hunting for algaebarn copepods that make mandarin goby fish care easy

Mandarin Goby Fish Care | Using Copepods to keep a Mandarin Dragonet

Mandarin Fish Care 101: Foods and feeding are the foremost concern for any aquarist wishing to keep a Green Mandarin Dragonet
Read More about Mandarin Goby Fish Care | Using Copepods to keep a Mandarin Dragonet

A Look at the Aiptasia-Eating Filefish (Acreichthys Tomentosus)

Nuisance algae is such a common irritant to marine aquarists that any mention of the words “aquarium plague” can immediately bring to
Read More about A Look at the Aiptasia-Eating Filefish (Acreichthys Tomentosus)

Bizarre and Beautiful: The Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)

Marine aquarists have always been fascinated with seahorses. These strange animals do make for interesting aquarium subjects. With
Read More about Bizarre and Beautiful: The Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)

Petite and Pretty: A Look at the Neon Goby (Elacatinus spp.)

If there was ever a group of fishes that was just about perfect for keeping in marine aquaria it is the neon gobies. These creatures
Read More about Petite and Pretty: A Look at the Neon Goby (Elacatinus spp.)

A Look at the Blue Tang

Even before that well-known cartoon character of the same species was conceived, the blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) was extremely
Read More about A Look at the Blue Tang

Mixed Microalgal Feeds for a Balanced Nutrition

Primary producers—those organisms (e.g. plants such as algae) that build new biomass from inorganic sources of energy—form the very
Read More about Mixed Microalgal Feeds for a Balanced Nutrition

Blue Mandarin

Keeping and Feeding the Mandarin Fishes

Mandarins are undoubtedly among the most popular of all marine aquarium fishes. Conspicuous for their small size, they have an
Read More about Keeping and Feeding the Mandarin Fishes

Clownfish hosting an Anemone

Aquariums: The New Medicine

Aquariums: The New Medicine You enter the waiting room of your doctor’s office and you know she’s not going to be happy about your
Read More about Aquariums: The New Medicine

live food for mandarin fish, live copepods for saltwater tank

The Lovely Mandarin

Salt water aquariums can house some of the most beautiful fish. It is a hypnotic experience to watch these creatures move through their
Read More about The Lovely Mandarin

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