Nature vs Captive Bred

[charlie lisanti]

I am fairly new to the saltwater fish world. I have noticed that some fish can be gotten as either nature Bred (captured) or captive bred. Two examples are certain types of clowns and Regal tangs.
I would like to see some discussion on the pros and cons of both. I have heard that captive bred are "healthier", but if they are mixed with captured fish in the store, are they not just as likely to have a disease? Also, I know that capturing fish can be cruel, but what about the side effects of inter-bredding?
Should I ask for a captive bred fish or a captured fish? Which is best?
Thanks, Charlie.

 

[up north hermit]

Welcome to the board Charlie.
I always chime in on this subject. I will not buy any fish or coral that is not captive bred. They are more acclimated to living in a "box", they have never seen the wild.
It is my infinitesimal contribution to saving the hundred of thousands of fish killed by capture. Not to mention our dwindling reefs.
When there are such wonderful specimans available, why buy anything else?
I know I'll have to dodge the arrows now, but this is my humble .02.
And yes, there are many, many "reef farmers" now, and hobbyists exchanges, etc. It is getting more popular, for one reason we have made such strides in the area of farming and breeding in the past 10 years.
HTH
Hermit

 

[jacrmill]

personally i would try to buy captive bred fish over captured fish. the main reason for me is that me buying captive bred fish will incourage fish breeders and there will be more types of captive bred fish available. thought i dont believe that our hobby is taking a large portion out of the ocean i do think it is taking a little. but if most fish are captive bred it would take little to nothing away from the oceans. also captive bred fish are more accepting of an aquarium and aquarium foods because this is how they were raised. to not have to worry about the disease problem you can order your captive bred fish online, this way they would not be exposed to a LFS tank full of diseases. and whether a captive fish is more disease resistent ive heard both ways. first off you could say a fish in the wild has faced the disease before so they are stronger for it, kinda like when we get chicken pocs. ive also heard it that captive bred fish are healthier and lessed stressed in an aquarium than captured fish and since they are healthier and happier they are more likely to fight off the disease. sorry its long, but i hope somewhere in all that rambeling i answered a question you might have had.
[ October 30, 2001: Message edited by: jacrmill ]

 

[big dave]

So far on the lists of Captive Bred Lists I have seen the following:
CLownfish
Dottybacks (pseudochromis)
Maculosus Angels
Dartfish
Hippo (blue,regal) Tangs
Seahorses
Bangaii Cardinals
Neon Gobies
Some other Gobies
Any I missed?

 

[class clown]

Another option to consider is tank-raised (not "bred") fish. These fish are raised by collecting eggs from the ocean when their chances of survival are minimal. The impact on the fish population is minimal to none, plus there aren't any damaging side effects on the reef from using poison (more on that later). The eggs are then hatched in captivity and the fish are raised with all the benefits from captive-bred fish.
U.N. Hermit, I couldn't agree more with you! I'm pretty new to the hobby myself, but I'm already on a mission to spread the word as much as possible about captive bred & raised fish. I also feel guilty taking away from the world's reefs. It's not just the depletion of fish population, it's the damage caused on reef by improper collecting methods (like the use of cyanide).
Another reason to buy captive bred/raised fish is that they have never been exposed to any kind of poison. Ever buy a healthy fish that lives a happy life for months, then suddenly stops eating and a couple days later it croaks, even in perfect water condition? Happens all the time; just read the messages posted here. And what explanation is usually given? As one of my LFS said, "fish sometimes just die for no reason". This myth is widely acepted in this hobby. Well, there IS a reason. Collection methods that use poison can cause permanent damage to a fish's organs, even when done properly (and more often than not poison is misused). The fish might live a happy life for a few months but the damage is already done. A few months later, its organs start to fail and the fish dies. Obviously, tank bred and raised fish have never been exposed to any kind of poison.
There are a few more fish that can be added to that list if captive-raised fish are to be included. Some might surprise a few people!:
Various damsels
Blennies
Some butterfly fish
A few dwarf angels (bicolor comes to mind)
Yellow tangs
French and Emperor angels (really!)
Bamboo shark
Hope this helps

 

[von_rahvin]

i as well agree on buying captive bred or raised over anything caught in the wild.
except there is one problem captive bred clown fish have problems realizing they can hang out in anenomies. i bought on and it refused to go into mine. so i traded it back in. di this a few times, then i asked for a wild caught. that sucker hopped in the tank and dove for the anenomie. (i know i am spelling it wrong)
so i would get captive raised of caught fish first unless i was buying a clown.

 

[up north hermit]

Thank you for expounding on this subject Class Clown, you have collected much knowledge in your short tenure in this wonderful hobby.
Interesting behaviour with your clownfish Robert. Calls for a new study, don't you think? Now if you all will start sending checks, I will begin this new study.
Hermit