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Aquarium Trade Relies Heavily on Wild-Caught, Endangered Fish
8 Oct, 2025
Summary
- 90% of marine fish sold by major US retailers are wild-caught
- 45 species sold are listed as threatened or in decline by IUCN
- Opaque supply chains hide origin of many aquarium fish
According to a study published in Conservation Biology on October 8th, 2025, the global aquarium trade is heavily dependent on wild-caught marine fish, with significant implications for threatened and endangered species. The analysis of 734 marine fish species sold by major US aquarium e-retailers found that approximately 90% were sourced solely from wild populations, while only 3% were exclusively farmed.
The aquarium industry is a lucrative global market, worth an estimated US$2.15 billion annually, with the US comprising two-thirds of global demand. However, the supply chain is often opaque, making it difficult for consumers to know the origin and sustainability of the fish they purchase. The study found that 45 of the species sold were listed as threatened or in decline by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
