Livestock (fish) Origination

[canadianeh]

I was watching a documentary on Netflix on fish business for aquarium hobby. It is an eye opening how they catch fish and where they come from. They come from countries such as Philippines, Indonesia, and etc. They also talked about how much these local people get per fish compare to how much they are selling here. The documentary also showed how the fish gets treated as well. Very informative doc.

To my point, many of them use chemical such as cyanide to catch fish, and this may decrease the survival rate on the fish when it reaches the end consumer's tank.

My question is which sellers or stores that do not buy fish that was caught using cyanide or chemicals that may harm fish and environment? Is there any dealers that specifically focus on environment by only selling captive-bred fish?

Please kindly do not turn this into ethical discussion and start judging one or the other. I just want to know the answer to that specific questions underlined above. (if you know of course) Just looking to see who offers "green" fish

 

[deaclauderdale]

While I can't answer your question, I would like to know the name of the program that watched?

Reef keeping is life!

 

[CrayolaViolence]

which sellers or stores that do not buy fish that was caught using cyanide or chemicals that may harm fish and environment? Is there any dealers that specifically focus on environment by only selling captive-bred fish?[/U]

That is nearly an impossible question to answer. Most stores don't get their stock directly from the locals, they buy from a whole seller who buys from a distributor (foreign) who buys from the buncher/organizer who pays the collectors.

I can only tell you this, if the fish from a particular distributor die on a regular basis, they are not going to be in business long with the whole seller. No one makes money on dead fish. And fish that are compromised in collection usually will not make it to the store for distribution. They simply can't handle the stress. Now that's not always true, but for the most part, injured and sick fish don't last long in shipping.

But again, as to who does what? It's impossible to know unless you are in those foreign countries and monitoring the collection process.

 

[canadianeh]

That is nearly an impossible question to answer. Most stores don't get their stock directly from the locals, they buy from a whole seller who buys from a distributor (foreign) who buys from the buncher/organizer who pays the collectors.

I can only tell you this, if the fish from a particular distributor die on a regular basis, they are not going to be in business long with the whole seller. No one makes money on dead fish. And fish that are compromised in collection usually will not make it to the store for distribution. They simply can't handle the stress. Now that's not always true, but for the most part, injured and sick fish don't last long in shipping.

But again, as to who does what? It's impossible to know unless you are in those foreign countries and monitoring the collection process.

I also heard that during shipping, they put certain kind of chemicals to make the fish more "relax" or "high" so that it will survive the shipment. The thing is this may cause side effect such as dying in end user's tank maybe not right away but within weeks or so.

 

[canadianeh]

While I can't answer your question, I would like to know the name of the program that watched?

Reef keeping is life!

I will get back to you on that

 

[alton]

I will get back to you on that

Yes please post the name

 

[SoloChromis]

It's best just to figure out where exactly the specimen you're looking into is coming from. There can be regional color differences (I spent more on my Tahitian flame angel than I would've for a typical Christmas Islands specimen, because the color and supposedly more careful handling was worth it to me). The Philippines are easily the worst, Indonesia is a close second, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Australia, Tahiti, these are all great sources with very respectable, humane practices. Yes, you may very well spend more, but it's worth it for a fish that'll have a much better chance of thriving in my tank and the fact that I'm not supporting such destructive practices IMO. I'm currently waiting for a small-medium sized longnose butterfly from Hawaii, as they are handled with much more care there. Obviously all of the aquaculture facilities are totally eco friendly options (ORA, Sustainable Aquatics, Biota Marine etc.), and it's great to support them when you can, its the future of this hobby after all. I have no doubt that places like Hawaii will one day have a complete ban on collection for the hobby, so everyone needs to quit whining about the $80 TB yellow tangs. Those are the folks that'll be crying when they can't get their hands on a chevron tang or Potter's angel down the line :facepalm:

 

[CrayolaViolence]

I also heard that during shipping, they put certain kind of chemicals to make the fish more "relax" or "high" so that it will survive the shipment. The thing is this may cause side effect such as dying in end user's tank maybe not right away but within weeks or so.

Um. Honestly, I doubt it. Mostly because doing that costs money and time. They will sometimes put charcoal in with corals for international shipping. And I think some use oxygen tablets to keep enough air in the bag for shipping.
I would not be surprised if the video you watched was produced by an animal rights group. The same people who talk about dog breeders breeding their dogs four times a year. When thats biologically improbable.