Starting a new saltwater tank for the first time.

[jason101295]

Hello to all hobbyists,
I hope you all are well. I would like to start a new saltwater fish tank. I have certain people that tell me that I should only buy saltwater fish from those that breed them in captivity. These people tell me that some fish that come straight from the ocean are caught using cynaide to stun them before they are caught. Also taking corals from their evironment can also do damage to the water eco-system from where the corals were taken. I don't want to sound like a negative person, but I would like to try my hand at raising a saltwater tank. My question is, where are place to look where I can find fish breed in captivity?
Thank you

 

[azul1994]

Not many fish in the trade are breed in captivity, mostly clownfish but thats really it.

 

[petjunkie]

Reputable fish dealers won't carry fish caught in areas that are still using cyanide and many corals can be found as aquacultured frags, actually it would be fairly easy to set up an tank with all aquacultured livestock you would just be limited in things you could keep, fish bred in captivity include clownfish, some gobies, pseudochromis, seahorses, angelfish but they are pretty expensive and hard to find. Use regular dry sand, manmade aquacultured live rock, and buy frags from other hobbyist. You wouldn't be able to have some inverts such as shrimp, hermits, etc. Just do a google search on aquacultured saltwater fish to find dealers. I believe this site sells a few also.

 

[nycbob]

if u google "saltwater fish" or "aquacultured corals", it will list a few web sites that sells livestocks. i only buy aqua-sps corals. they r a little bit more expensive, but r much hardier too. i buy my livestocks online, since i find the selection much more diverse.

 

[scsinet]

It's very difficult, no matter what you do, to completely avoid cyanide caught fish. The number of fish that are available captive bred is going to limit you severely if that's all you get. There are organized efforts now to eliminate the practice of cyanide collection, but unless you follow the fish from the point where the diver actually collects it to your tank, you will always run the risk. Keep in mind that cyanide collection is illegal pretty much everywhere nowadays, so it's not like the divers make it easy to catch them. Collecting is usually done by villagers and locals on a cash basis, so there are little controls and regulation.
If you are trying to raise corals, then you stand a better chance right there because the two types of fish that are most likely to be cyanide caught are Butterflies and large Angels, both of which are not reef safe, so you won't be buying those anyway.
Over time you'll also get a feel for spotting them at the store. Certain behaviors and colorings can give a clue.
Finally, try to buy Red Sea fish whenever possible. Cyanide is almost never used in this part of the world.

 

[jason101295]

I want to thank you all for replying. This really helps me to look foward to starting my saltwater fish tank. I will start the tank with anemones and later add a few fish. I will yahoo and google for sites that have aqua cultured fish and corals.
Thanks

 

[petjunkie]

Don't start any tank with anemones, they are one of the most doomed livestock in saltwater, they need established tanks and metal halide lighting, along with great water parameters. Up to 90% die in captivity and no one knows how long they can live in the wild, maybe hundreds of years. This would be something I would never buy wild, you can find aquacultured bubble tips pretty easily once your tank is ready for one but they are not a beginner invert.

 

[jason101295]

Thanks PetJunkie. I guess I need to start reading the post on this message board and pick up a few books about saltwater marine tanks.