CITES Treaty and Invertibrates

[Forty-Two]

Hi all,

I recently found out that invertebrates are pretty much banned here in Israel - which means all crabs, snails and others cannot be purchased or imported. They are citing the 'CITES' treaty which was amended in 2020/2021 to include all manner of invertebrates as well.

What is the likelihood of being able to successfully start and keep a reef tank without invertebrates? I understand rabbit fish can be used to keep down the algae, but without yellow tangs available here either, it seems it is becoming increasingly harder to be a successful reefer.

Im considering 'pulling the plug' as it were as I guess that this is only going to get worse over time and not better. Its already harder with the low supply of live rock, but without yellow tangs, invertebrates etc - its looking rather bleak.

 

[Paul B]

Inverts are very cool, but you don't need any for what you are talking about. I only have some hermit crabs and only because they are cool. They hardly eat any algae. For algae use an algae scrubber as I do. No algae grows in my tank, it all grows on the scrubber.