lion_crazz
Active Member
I have compiled a list of animals that I do not think should be collected/kept in aquariums, either because they grow tremendously large or because they have highly specialized needs that cannot be met by most aquarists. There are some fish on the list that have been kept successfully by some aquarists, but I would estimate that 95% of the time, most of these animals die within a matter of months in our aquariums. I am not directing this list at anyone in particular, I am just voicing my opinion and hopefully providing a little guideline for anyone that cares to read it. Next to each fish I give a brief explanation of why I feel it should not be kept. If anyone wants to add to the list, please let me know of the animal and I will add it.
THE LIST
-Moorish Idol - Idols have very poor survival because they are very sensitive to water quality, need very large tanks with a lot of growth, and have a specialized diet (among other things.
-Parrotfish - Parrotfish need an EXTREMELY large amount of water to swim in, as this is a fish that swims miles in a single day. Also, parrotfish have a specialized diet that most aquarists cannot meet for them. On top of that, most species grow much too large for aquariums and are best suited for public aquariums or left in the ocean.
-Batfish - Batfish are extremely sensitive fish and do not ship well at all. The one exception is the orbicularis. This is a moderately hardy fish, however, this fish grows to be extremely tall. A 200 gallon tank is the absolute minimum for this fish.
-Most butterflies - Most butterflies that are sold in fish stores have a very poor track record for survival in captivitiy. They usually have specialized diets, and they are ultra-sensitive to poor water. However, there are a good number of species that do very well in aquariums. Just make sure you research which species you get before you purchase it.
-Pipefish - Pipefish are a poor choice for aquarium inhabitants because they eat extremely slow. They are, however, a good choice for seahorse aquariums, because they have similiar feeding habits to seahorses.
-Panther grouper - Panther groupers should not be kept because they grow extremely large (26 inches). Though there are other groupers that grow just as large as this one, this is the most common species, so I decided to just focus on this one. Just like the butterfly, make sure you research which species of grouper you are buying before you buy it. Panther groupers, bumble bee groupers, goliath groupers, etc. are all terrible choices for aquariums.
-Pilotfish/Emporer Snapper - Pilotfish and emporer snappers are usually sold at a very small size, but these fish gets 3.5 ft. Definitely not something that anyone can keep in their aquarium.
-Tilefish - Tilefish live very close to the bottom of the ocean, and are not used to the amount of light that our aquariums have. They often stress out when they are under so much light, and are very known to jump out of the aquarium or not begin feeding.
-Orange spotted filefish - This fish should not be kept under any cirumstances. The only thing it eats is acropora polyps.
-Garabaldi damsel - Though this may be one of the nicest looking damsels, it is also a coldwater species (between 50 and 60 degrees), making it a very bad choice for our tropical aquariums.
-Catalina goby - Though this is a beautiful and common fish, it is another cold water species. A cold, chilled aquarium is needed for this fish.
Leopard blenny (Exallias brevis) - This fish needs acropora to live.
-Cleaner wrasse/mimic cleaner wrasse - Though some have been known to be able to keep cleaner wrasse, 8 out of 10 die at the LFS, and then 1 out of that last 2 will die within a few weeks in the home aquarium. This is a fish that is better off left in the ocean because removing it in the high quantity that the trade is could have very damaging effects to the health of the fish in the ocean. Alternatives like neon gobies and cleaner shrimp ae excellent. Mimic cleaner wrasses can actually take chunks of flesh out of your fish, and are highly aggressive since many fish are believed in thinking that they are "true" cleaners. These should be avoided for your fish's well-being.
-Titan Trigger - Besides for the fact that this fish is highly aggressive, it also reaches a length of 30 inches. For that reason, it should not be attempted by the aquarist because one would need a tank of at least 700-1000 gallons.
THE LIST
-Moorish Idol - Idols have very poor survival because they are very sensitive to water quality, need very large tanks with a lot of growth, and have a specialized diet (among other things.
-Parrotfish - Parrotfish need an EXTREMELY large amount of water to swim in, as this is a fish that swims miles in a single day. Also, parrotfish have a specialized diet that most aquarists cannot meet for them. On top of that, most species grow much too large for aquariums and are best suited for public aquariums or left in the ocean.
-Batfish - Batfish are extremely sensitive fish and do not ship well at all. The one exception is the orbicularis. This is a moderately hardy fish, however, this fish grows to be extremely tall. A 200 gallon tank is the absolute minimum for this fish.
-Most butterflies - Most butterflies that are sold in fish stores have a very poor track record for survival in captivitiy. They usually have specialized diets, and they are ultra-sensitive to poor water. However, there are a good number of species that do very well in aquariums. Just make sure you research which species you get before you purchase it.
-Pipefish - Pipefish are a poor choice for aquarium inhabitants because they eat extremely slow. They are, however, a good choice for seahorse aquariums, because they have similiar feeding habits to seahorses.
-Panther grouper - Panther groupers should not be kept because they grow extremely large (26 inches). Though there are other groupers that grow just as large as this one, this is the most common species, so I decided to just focus on this one. Just like the butterfly, make sure you research which species of grouper you are buying before you buy it. Panther groupers, bumble bee groupers, goliath groupers, etc. are all terrible choices for aquariums.
-Pilotfish/Emporer Snapper - Pilotfish and emporer snappers are usually sold at a very small size, but these fish gets 3.5 ft. Definitely not something that anyone can keep in their aquarium.
-Tilefish - Tilefish live very close to the bottom of the ocean, and are not used to the amount of light that our aquariums have. They often stress out when they are under so much light, and are very known to jump out of the aquarium or not begin feeding.
-Orange spotted filefish - This fish should not be kept under any cirumstances. The only thing it eats is acropora polyps.
-Garabaldi damsel - Though this may be one of the nicest looking damsels, it is also a coldwater species (between 50 and 60 degrees), making it a very bad choice for our tropical aquariums.
-Catalina goby - Though this is a beautiful and common fish, it is another cold water species. A cold, chilled aquarium is needed for this fish.
Leopard blenny (Exallias brevis) - This fish needs acropora to live.
-Cleaner wrasse/mimic cleaner wrasse - Though some have been known to be able to keep cleaner wrasse, 8 out of 10 die at the LFS, and then 1 out of that last 2 will die within a few weeks in the home aquarium. This is a fish that is better off left in the ocean because removing it in the high quantity that the trade is could have very damaging effects to the health of the fish in the ocean. Alternatives like neon gobies and cleaner shrimp ae excellent. Mimic cleaner wrasses can actually take chunks of flesh out of your fish, and are highly aggressive since many fish are believed in thinking that they are "true" cleaners. These should be avoided for your fish's well-being.
-Titan Trigger - Besides for the fact that this fish is highly aggressive, it also reaches a length of 30 inches. For that reason, it should not be attempted by the aquarist because one would need a tank of at least 700-1000 gallons.
