Reef Tanks in Hawaii

[Mikedawg8898]

So I’ve been seeing this pop up every now and then and wanted some confirmation. As I’ve been reading people have been saying that it’s illegal to have reef aquaria in Hawaii since the ban. Now this is the internet and I don’t necessarily believe everything I read, but just wanted to know if that’s legitimate or not. Basically I understand the collection of aquarium fish and coral has been banned until further notice from the ocean but does that include reef aquariums in the home where coral is shipped from other places in the United States or even over seas like Indonesia and Australia?

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I too want to learn more about the answer to this!

 

[Gareth elliott]

From my understanding, it is currently a halt in collection until the courts rule on the matter. The proposed ban was vetoed by the governor. What the court will rule no idea.

https://reefbuilders.com/2017/10/30/hawaii-fish-collecting-halted-until-further-review/

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Yea i would imagine owning a mixed reef would be a different law

 

[Mikedawg8898]

Well the thing is is that I’m considering moving out there but if I can’t keep a reef tank out there, that’s kind of a deal breaker for me. I understand the ban that’s been placed, just don’t know how that affects keeping reef tanks in the home

 

[AlexStinson]

So lived there from '10-'13. IIRC it is not legal to have any coral with a hard skeleton. Some soft corals are allowed, but you are not supposed to get coral shipped in from other locations. I will say there is a big underground coral market... This is all pre-ban I don't know what has changed, but I collected (and moved stateside) many of my own fish and inverts. There are no coral stores, but some fish stores will have basic local polyps and anemones.

What saved me (we will assume I did not have a reef tank) is nice freshwater tanks are all the rage there. There are many Amano -style stores selling very high end plants and systems and fish/shrimp. So keep that in mind.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

So lived there from '10-'13. IIRC it is not legal to have any coral with a hard skeleton. Some soft corals are allowed, but you are not supposed to get coral shipped in from other locations. I will say there is a big underground coral market... This is all pre-ban I don't know what has changed, but I collected (and moved stateside) many of my own fish and inverts. There are no coral stores, but some fish stores will have basic local polyps and anemones.

What saved me (we will assume I did not have a reef tank) is nice freshwater tanks are all the rage there. There are many Amano -style stores selling very high end plants and systems and fish/shrimp. So keep that in mind.

 

[xaflatoonx]

its hawaii man... dont loose out on an opportunity for moving out there to live that life.
when you return - you can always have another tank.

any time you miss reef fish and corals - you can go out and look at them in the ocean.

 

[alten78]

its hawaii man... dont loose out on an opportunity for moving out there to live that life.
when you return - you can always have another tank.

any time you miss reef fish and corals - you can go out and look at them in the ocean.

My exact thought as well. We honeymooned there several years ago and snorkeled everyday, seeing fish that I only see in a glass box in their actual environment was amazing.