Guilt in the reefing hobby

[RobB'z Reef]

Hey all,

I was just wondering if anyone feels guilty about keeping these tropical fish in our tanks. I was just reading about how they're stunned and captured, and many of them die during the process.

I just have been feeling a little guilty about taking them from their native homes, and putting them in these restrictive tanks, what do you guys think- just wondering about other people's opinions.

That's a slippery slope.. Do you feel guilty every time you eat a hamburger? We're the dominate species, we do what we want. That being said do what you can to not be cruel, be a good steward, be conservationally minded and do your best to tend to your pets. If this still leaves you in doubt don't participate in the hobby. This is a personal choice and there is no universal right or wrong answer. I sleep well every night.

 

[pocketreef]

If you are not looking in the ocean is the clownfish in symbiosis with the anemone? Can you love what you dont understand? I remember when I started in this hobby the number of large colonies of SPS removed from nature that used to be sold, the normal nowadays is to get a frag and go from there. Sustainability comes from demand... best we can do is to favor tank raised corals and fish, with time less and less will come from nature. This industry is also sponsoring science broadening our understanding of sea chemistry, biology, etc that may quite well one day be what will save this biodiversity.

 

[S2G]

Nope. They get regular food, have adequate space, & no predators.

 

[Snackums]

Nope. They get regular food, have adequate space, & no predators.

That’s an interesting point about not having predators. Ocean life can be brutal when you could be eaten at any second.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

That’s an interesting point about not having predators. Ocean life can be brutal when you could be eaten at any second.

Said the chicken you probably ate within the last week or two... Lol

 

[Conovan]

I only feel guilty if my pets are hurt by something I did or didn't do. As long as I am providing them with a healthy and happy life I am not gonna feel guilty.

 

[ReefBeta]

Not a lot after seeing this. When they don't got fished out for food, they might still got eaten by other fish. "There is always bigger fish." remember?

When I feel guilty, it's when I was incompetent, like loosing fish to disease, or during quarantine when I didn't know how to treat or don't have meds on hand.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Not a lot after seeing this. When they don't got fished out for food, they might still got eaten by other fish. "There is always bigger fish." remember?

When I feel guilty, it's when I was incompetent, like loosing fish to disease, or during quarantine when I didn't know how to treat or don't have meds on hand.

Just curious..I can't even tell what that is..

 

[ReefBeta]

Just curious..I can't even tell what that is..

Achilles tang for sale in supermarket as seafood for $9.xx a lb.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Achilles tang for sale in supermarket as seafood for $9.xx a lb.

Hmm... Have you tried it? Is it tasty?

 

[ReefBeta]

Hmm... Have you tried it? Is it tasty?

That's not my picture and I haven't try those. But I did try unicorn tang, which also kept in the hobby. They taste ok, kind of unique flavor. Not my favorite by my dad loves them.

 

[sas226]

Guilt?
Its like a fisherman feeling guilty about casting a lure, or a hunter shooting a duck or deer. My fish eat better than I do. . . IT IS THEY THAT SHOULD FEEL GUILTY . . . LOL

One could argue that for a good portion of hunters and the majority of fishermen it's out of necessity as opposed to this hobby which is 100% for leisure. That being said, I still have no real guilt. I feel bad when a fish dies but more generic bummed out than specifically because they were taken.

 

[ReefBeta]

One could argue that for a good portion of hunters and the majority of fishermen it's out of necessity as opposed to this hobby which is 100% for leisure. That being said, I still have no real guilt. I feel bad when a fish dies but more generic bummed out than specifically because they were taken.

Necessity was true in the old times, but now, fishing and hunting are more be done as leisure hobby as well. I don't really know anyone hunting deer out of necessity. Spear fishing is similar.

That was one of the arguments from the locals when Hawaii is banning aquarium fishery. "Fish are food and they're sacred, one should not play with the sacred food" is what they said. Like killing the fish is right but keeping them alive is not ...

 

[ichthyogeek]

That was one of the arguments from the locals when Hawaii is banning aquarium fishery. "Fish are food and they're sacred, one should not play with the sacred food" is what they said. Like killing the fish is right but keeping them alive is not ...

Oh this one's new! When/where was this (links + resources please!) ?
Most of the anti-collection rhetoric I read/heard about was with Snorkel Bob and people who claimed it was "unethical" and used Bad Science to justify it....and also people who had a commercial interest in banning fish collections regardless of what data/science said...I haven't heard much about indigenous Hawaiians protesting about it....

 

[ReefBeta]

Oh this one's new! When/where was this (links + resources please!) ?
Most of the anti-collection rhetoric I read/heard about was with Snorkel Bob and people who claimed it was "unethical" and used Bad Science to justify it....and also people who had a commercial interest in banning fish collections regardless of what data/science said...I haven't heard much about indigenous Hawaiians protesting about it....

IIRC it was from a local news coverage with interviews some local activities group. Saw it shared in my feeds long ago, so I don't think I would be able to find it.

 

[Bxr126]

I don't feel guilty. The ocean is their natural environment, but it is far from perfect. My fish are well fed on a premium diet. They have plenty of room to swim and hide in an environment free from natural predators. However, in the spirit of conservation I do go out of my way to buy captive bred.

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

Feeling guilt for keeping fish in an aquarium ? Ridiculous. But from a standpoint of conservation, I am all for the captive breeding of specimens rather than collecting them from the ocean.

 

[Pntbll687]

I am starting to feel more guilty about how much fossil fuels we burn and whats its doing to the natural habitat of all wild animals, including our but we are all part of the problem. I think it became more clear after my son was born 2 years ago.. Like we are just wasting away and leaving nothing for the future generation

LOL

Not everything is doom and gloom

 

[Zionas]

+1

 

[Zionas]

Completely agree. I wish more breakthroughs will be made in this.