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"Ethical aquarium ownership" is a phrase that means a lot of different things to many different people. In this article, we will be focusing on the ethical issues that involve aquarium ownership of both marine and freshwater species, particularly environmental and welfare concerns. When I talk about aquarium ownership and welfare of the tank inhabitants I am not just talking about fish, but equally as important are the corals, invertebrates, plants, and all living species found in aquarium systems. While volumes can be written about ethical ownership, this article will try to cover some of the more basic issues, and should be just the beginning for people that are serious about aquariums and their inhabitants.

The issues
It does not take aquarium owners very long to come to some conclusions about aquarium ownership. On the positive side, most aquarists soon find the fascination with their aquarium grows daily and that there is unlimited potential for increasing their knowledge and understanding of the underwater world. They also soon discover that the time and financial commitment required in having a healthy tank is much greater than they ever expected, but is well worth it.

On the down side, they discover that there are some very thorny ethical issues involved in both freshwater and marine aquarium ownership. On one hand, they want to enjoy all the rewards of aquariums including the aesthetics and educational benefits. On the other hand, they do not want to contribute to the unnecessary death of an aquatic species or contribute to the degradation of a very fragile and easily damaged ecosystem.

So what is the solution? In most cases, good ethical decisions cannot be made without a complete gathering of facts from all sides. While it is easy to sit back and have armchair opinions about this topic, until we research all of the facts, our opinions will be ungrounded, and carry little weight. At the same time, ethical decisions are a personal choice and vary from person to person; ethical decisions are always made from within. The Internet has made a wealth of information available and anyone that is interested in learning more about the issue of ethical aquarium ownership can find thousands of pages of articles and information there. So gather the facts, and then after you are armed with knowledge, formulate your opinions, and go out and follow up with your purchase decisions.

Captive vs wild-raised species
One of the ethical dilemmas most aquarists have faced is the issue of captive-raised vs wild-caught species. On the surface, this topic may appear very simple and many people respond by saying captive-raised species are better, but this is not always the case nor is it always an option. While captive-raised species are often preferred and make up the bulk of tropical freshwater fish, less than ten percent of marine species are available from captive-raised sources. While some aquarists choose to only purchase captive-raised species of fish and corals, most aquarists are going to want to have some species that are wild-caught. Through informed and conscientious purchasing decisions, a buyer can impact the industry and move it toward reduced mortality, improved harvesting methods and regulation, and the preservation of fragile ecosystems. When choosing a source for wild-caught species, these are some questions that the aquarist needs to consider:

• Are these species being harvested in a safe, environmentally friendly manner (with nets and experienced divers) as opposed to the use of chemical agents?

• Is the importer experienced and using state of the art handling and storage facilities?

• Are these species coming from sources that are carefully managed from a quota and environmental impact perspective?

• Are these species being monitored on importation by the Fish and Wildlife Service and have the proper CITES permits that ensure they are being harvested properly and legally?

• Are these species guaranteed with live delivery and are they guaranteed to survive for up to 7 days after being introduced into their tank?

• Are the supplier and importer concerned with and taking measures to reduce fish mortality in every area of the industry?

• Is the seller willing to provide information about the species and insist on a strict handling and acclimatization protocol?

All of these questions need to be answered to the customer's satisfaction before fish, coral, and invertebrate species are purchased. The most experienced, reliable suppliers know, that to be successful, they need to have the highest standards and concern for the fish and their environment.

What can you do at home?
All of the best research and concern will not do you any good if you take this carefully handled and healthy fish, invertebrate, or coral and put it in your tank only to have it die several weeks later. Unfortunately, mortality in the home aquarium is still one of the biggest problems the industry faces. Making sure your tank has all of the appropriate water parameters and environmental requirements the particular species needs is one way to reduce tank mortality. Making sure that you have the expertise to properly house the species is another issue. There are some species that simply do not acclimatize well to life in captivity. As aquarists, we need to recognize these species and not create a market for them. At the same time, the industry needs to examine whether it should carry some of these fragile species even if they are only recommended for sale to experienced aquarists.

Public education and awareness
In addition to our personal choices, we can make an impact through increasing public awareness. As individual aquarists, we should promote the educational value of our tanks and show good stewardship when it comes to promoting organizations that protect our world's fresh and saltwater ecosystems. People that can experience the beauty of a reef ecosystem and understand the plight of the world's reefs are much more likely to support their protection. Aquarists are often extremely interested in protecting our natural resources. I have never, yet, met a serious hobbyist who was not very concerned with the preservation of the wild ecosystems and the animal and plant species they harbor. Our challenge is to encourage all aquarists to promote the best harvesting, handling, and management of all species through their own purchasing choices and affiliations, as well as educating the general public. Aquarium owners can be one of the best friends to all aquatic species and aquatic environments worldwide.

Summary
If we work to educate ourselves and the public, promote the highest standards for fish harvesting and management, and promote good stewardship practices and organizations, we can make a lasting difference for all species.

© 2000 Drs. Foster and Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from
PetEducation.com ("http://www.peteducation.com/")
On-line store at "http://www.drsfostersmith.com/"
Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208