A Systematic Review of the Ornamental Fish Trade with Emphasis on Coral Reef Fishes—An Impossible Task

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The trade in marine ornamental fishes appears to have commenced around the 1930s, and the number and diversity of species traded remain unclear. Figures currently available are based on estimates or are inferred using limited information from various formal and trade organisations. Almost all marine ornamental fishes are wild-caught from coral reefs, and mortality rates throughout the supply chain can be high. The consequences of removing these fishes from their ecosystems are poorly understood. This article collates and examines available information including scientific studies and publications from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, as well as from other formal and trade organisations, in order to create a more accurate picture of the extent of commercial activities. We demonstrate that it is an almost impossible task to analyse the trade in marine ornamental fishes due to a lack of data on commerce, as well as the fact that available data for marine species is frequently combined with that for freshwater species. This review highlights the urgent need for a global monitoring system to gather accurate and timely information on the number and species of ornamental fishes in commerce, where specimens originated, and whether they were wild-caught or captive-bred. ABSTRACT: The multi-billion dollar trade in ornamental fishes has rarely been reliably monitored. Almost all coral reef fishes are wild-caught, and few scientific analyses have attempted to elicit exact quantities and identify species involved. The consequences of the removal of millions of these fishes are poorly understood. This article collates and examines available information, including scientific studies and formal publications, in order to create a more accurate picture of this commerce. We demonstrate that it is almost impossible to analyse the trade in marine ornamental fishes due to a lack of data, and that available data for marine species is frequently combined with that for freshwater species. Figures range from 15 to 30 million coral reef fishes being traded annually, but could be as high as 150 million specimens. The global value of this trade was only estimated for 1976 and 1999 between USD 28–40 million. This review highlights the urgent need to introduce a specific harmonised system tariff code and for a global monitoring system, such as the Trade Control and Expert System already in use in Europe, in order to gather accurate and timely information on the number and species of marine ornamental fishes in commerce, where specimens originated, and whether they were wild-caught or captive-bred.