Should I purchase wild caught coral or captive raised? This question races around in the back of every aquarists mind. I hope at least it has crossed their minds.
I am a proponent of captive raised specimens and have been since the mid 1990s. I worked for the largest aquarium store in the San Fernando Valley (near Los Angeles) as the fish and coral buyer. Trans-shipping fish and coral was a regular routine for us. I saw much death – so much death that I began to have a sour taste in my mouth for the industry.
There are other options now. It is important to understand the pros and cons of both to make an informed decision before you buy.
Wild caught
If you are fortunate enough to be able collect animals yourself, you might find something unique. Wild animals usually cost less than captive raised counterparts. As far as corals go, if you buy wild you will usually get a whole colony. Wild caught also presents some problems as well. You will have to acclimate the animals. There are diseases and malicious commensal animals that may harm the coral or your other corals existing in the community. Finally, there is the environmental impact. If you take wild caught specimens, damage will be caused to the reef. Our reefs are already in trouble, and taking wild-caught specimens only adds to the problem. Then, that piece is now gone, so nobody else gets to see it.
Tank bred
When it comes to captive-raised I have a lot of good things to say. The impact to the natural world is zero. It is unlikely that you will get diseased coral from a farmer or coral with any commensal organisms. Acclimation is less of a problem as well. Animals cultured are hardier due to the fact that they are already accustomed to captive life. It paves the way to a sustainable hobby. There are some less desirable aspects to captive raised. It may be more expensive pound for pound when you are buying fragments. You will also have to wait for your fragment to grow into a colony.
As I mentioned earlier, I saw so much death in my years working in the retail and wholesale industry that it actually made me heartsick. I devoted the rest of my life to providing safe haven to as many species as possible. I will continue to propagate corals for as long as I am still able. I am in nature’s debt for the damage caused to the reefs by us. With the world’s reefs dying due to rising oceanic temperatures I say that anyone who is capable of harboring these precious jewels of the sea should do so.
– Ben Reddick, fall 2017