Ichtheologists, marine hobbyists, pretty much anyone that felt they had the appropriate expertise to make that statement. You have to remember that this hobby didn't come about until the early to mid seventy's. Back then people felt they were lucky to have figured out how to keep marine life. In the 80's and 90's they felt that keeping a 55 gal, was a big challenge compared to now. Now we have better equipment, more knowledge, and aquacultured critters that have adapted well to captivity.
Clint