ftherrmann
New member
Cyanide use in the collection of Marine Fish........................................ ************************************************** *******************************************Ever wonder why that beautiful and apparently healthy wild caught marine fish you paid $100 for suddenly died for no apparent reason???????????
I continue to read about the hobby as my tank matures and finally got to the point where I think I've read too much. This includes the use of sodium cyanide to stun ornamental marine fish so that they are easy to collect. It seems that the people doing this in southeast Asia like to think of it as an anesthetic, however the sodium cyanide is doing a lot more than just putting the fish to sleep.
Sodium cyanide is that poison pill you see spies biting down on just before they drop dead to the ground. Sodium cyanide is also used in gas chambers for the execution of condemned criminals.
Here's what happens when the industry goes cyanide fishing:
1. Many if not the majority of fish die on the spot from the cyanide exposure.
2. Many of those that escape the initial exposure to cyanide die within 48 hours.
3. The remaining live fish are then shipped to holding facilities in the US (California) and then shipped from the facility to the consumer or local fish store.
4. The cyanide that you can see in the cyanide fisherman picture kills coral. Often the diver will break the coral in order to remove live fish from confined areas within the coral.
5. The fish that are exposed to sodium cyanide will most likely succumb to organ failure within a year or less. Apparently trying to live on 1/2 of a kidney isn't that easy. Which also explains why those fish are dying unexpectedly, decomposing and crashing your tank without warning. In the long run the consumer appears to end up holding the bag, or should I say dead fish?
Please click the following links if you would like to learn more or simply google "Sodium Cyanide Fishing".
Tropical Depression: Your Saltwater Fish Tank May Be Killing the Ocean - Scientific American
Cyanide and Its Unfortunate Use in the Marine Ornamental Industry by Steven Pro - Reefkeeping.com
Now that we know the problem what can we do about it?
I called Foster and Smith aka LiveAquaria (Now owned by Petco) today and asked if they tested their wild caught fish for cyanide exposure. I didn't receive an answer and was directed to contact "Kevin" by email in order to get my question answered. As of yet I don't have a response.
As of 2012 there is a relatively inexpensive way of testing freshly arrived fish for cyanide. ( A new, fast, non-lethal method for cyanide detection in marine fish. Is it a game changer? ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog )
The fish metabolizes sodium cyanide into thiocyanate which is then excreted by the fish into the water. The only problem is that this testing needs to be done as soon as the fish arrive at the holding facility.
If the buyer detects cyanide in the newly arrived fish he simply refuses to pay the supplier and eventually the fisherman and government oversight people (who apparently turn a blind eye) lose money. This would eventually stop cyanide fishing. I believe it's called "Follow the Money!".
So the next time that pretty fish goes belly up for no apparent reason consider calling up one of the major marine re-sellers and tell them what you think and ask them if they can certify that they test wild caught fish for cyanide. For that matter, why not take a little proactive action and call today and keep that $100 fish from going belly up. Everybody in the hobby wins. The reefs remain healthy, the fish arrive with fully functioning vital organs and you save money!
I continue to read about the hobby as my tank matures and finally got to the point where I think I've read too much. This includes the use of sodium cyanide to stun ornamental marine fish so that they are easy to collect. It seems that the people doing this in southeast Asia like to think of it as an anesthetic, however the sodium cyanide is doing a lot more than just putting the fish to sleep.
Sodium cyanide is that poison pill you see spies biting down on just before they drop dead to the ground. Sodium cyanide is also used in gas chambers for the execution of condemned criminals.
Here's what happens when the industry goes cyanide fishing:
1. Many if not the majority of fish die on the spot from the cyanide exposure.
2. Many of those that escape the initial exposure to cyanide die within 48 hours.
3. The remaining live fish are then shipped to holding facilities in the US (California) and then shipped from the facility to the consumer or local fish store.
4. The cyanide that you can see in the cyanide fisherman picture kills coral. Often the diver will break the coral in order to remove live fish from confined areas within the coral.
5. The fish that are exposed to sodium cyanide will most likely succumb to organ failure within a year or less. Apparently trying to live on 1/2 of a kidney isn't that easy. Which also explains why those fish are dying unexpectedly, decomposing and crashing your tank without warning. In the long run the consumer appears to end up holding the bag, or should I say dead fish?
Please click the following links if you would like to learn more or simply google "Sodium Cyanide Fishing".
Tropical Depression: Your Saltwater Fish Tank May Be Killing the Ocean - Scientific American
Cyanide and Its Unfortunate Use in the Marine Ornamental Industry by Steven Pro - Reefkeeping.com
Now that we know the problem what can we do about it?
I called Foster and Smith aka LiveAquaria (Now owned by Petco) today and asked if they tested their wild caught fish for cyanide exposure. I didn't receive an answer and was directed to contact "Kevin" by email in order to get my question answered. As of yet I don't have a response.
As of 2012 there is a relatively inexpensive way of testing freshly arrived fish for cyanide. ( A new, fast, non-lethal method for cyanide detection in marine fish. Is it a game changer? ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog )
The fish metabolizes sodium cyanide into thiocyanate which is then excreted by the fish into the water. The only problem is that this testing needs to be done as soon as the fish arrive at the holding facility.
If the buyer detects cyanide in the newly arrived fish he simply refuses to pay the supplier and eventually the fisherman and government oversight people (who apparently turn a blind eye) lose money. This would eventually stop cyanide fishing. I believe it's called "Follow the Money!".
So the next time that pretty fish goes belly up for no apparent reason consider calling up one of the major marine re-sellers and tell them what you think and ask them if they can certify that they test wild caught fish for cyanide. For that matter, why not take a little proactive action and call today and keep that $100 fish from going belly up. Everybody in the hobby wins. The reefs remain healthy, the fish arrive with fully functioning vital organs and you save money!
