Hawaii Fish Ban Update

[vetteguy53081]

There is no reason for the derogatory tone. All i was saying is that the pause in hawaii has put more emphasis on captive breeding and thus accelerated progress is being made. I too miss fish like crosshatch triggers and look forward to them being captive bred since they already have spawned in captivity….only a matter of time…..

I agree and support both. There are some fish desired that captive breeding cannot keep up with demand or not yet bred in captivity and as both increase supply, prices should drop.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This thread has offered some information and updates. Lets keep it friendly and celebrate together when specimens are released to stores once again.
Happy Reefing always !

 

[JayM]

Hawaii being closed is resulting in advances in captive breeding which is good the hobby. As competition amongst aquaculture captive breeders grows, pricing will also come down. This is the long term sustainable model for the future.

Do you have sources to back that up?

Captive breeding saltwater fish for the aquarium trade started a solid 15-20 years before the Hawaii ban.

 

[Jasonak]

Do you have sources to back that up?

Captive breeding saltwater fish for the aquarium trade started a solid 15-20 years before the Hawaii ban.

I think its closer to 50

 

[JAcropora]

There is no reason for the derogatory tone. All i was saying is that the pause in hawaii has put more emphasis on captive breeding and thus accelerated progress is being made. I too miss fish like crosshatch triggers and look forward to them being captive bred since they already have spawned in captivity….only a matter of time…..

I understand your enthusiasm for progress in captive breeding. While there’s certainly hope for a future where more Hawaiian species are sustainably captive-bred, the current reality is more complex. The Hawaii fish collection pause hasn’t directly led to a surge in captive breeding efforts. Instead, it has mostly driven up prices for existing captive-bred Hawaiian fish(yellow tangs), which some sellers use to exploit the situation and increase profit margins, rather than reinvesting in breeding programs.

The demand for Hawaiian fish has created a market dynamic where scarcity inflates prices, but unfortunately, this doesn’t always translate into higher investments in captive breeding for these species. However, I share your hope that ongoing advancements will eventually support a more sustainable approach, making these beautiful fish available without impacting wild populations.

 

[Doctorgori]

Is there a mariculture industry anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands?
Also how common or available are clams in that part of the Pacific ?
I can see this being partially relevant here

Reef Fish of the Hawaiian Islands

 

[Cheese Griller]

I understand your enthusiasm for progress in captive breeding. While there’s certainly hope for a future where more Hawaiian species are sustainably captive-bred, the current reality is more complex. The Hawaii fish collection pause hasn’t directly led to a surge in captive breeding efforts. Instead, it has mostly driven up prices for existing captive-bred Hawaiian fish(yellow tangs), which some sellers use to exploit the situation and increase profit margins, rather than reinvesting in breeding programs.

The demand for Hawaiian fish has created a market dynamic where scarcity inflates prices, but unfortunately, this doesn’t always translate into higher investments in captive breeding for these species. However, I share your hope that ongoing advancements will eventually support a more sustainable approach, making these beautiful fish available without impacting wild populations.

I do agree that we have yet to see many Hawaiian endemics captive bred since the ban, but that is a direct result of the difficulty of raising some of the most iconic fish.

The captive bred yellow tangs have actually decreased in price since the ban... when they were first released they were around $200, now they're $165. The company that breeds them (Biota) has since brought many new species to market(including the potter's angel, one of the most sought-after Hawaiian fish.), so I would say they are absolutely re-investing in their program.

I have heard of some third party sellers of biota yellow tangs price gouging, but Biota has always seemed pretty good at discouraging that kind of behavior.

 

[JAcropora]

I do agree that we have yet to see many Hawaiian endemics captive bred since the ban, but that is a direct result of the difficulty of raising some of the most iconic fish.

The captive bred yellow tangs have actually decreased in price since the ban... when they were first released they were around $200, now they're $165. The company that breeds them (Biota) has since brought many new species to market(including the potter's angel, one of the most sought-after Hawaiian fish.), so I would say they are absolutely re-investing in their program.

I have heard of some third party sellers of biota yellow tangs price gouging, but Biota has always seemed pretty good at discouraging that kind of behavior.

When I first entered the hobby five years ago, yellow tangs were priced around £40 in the UK. However, after the Hawaii collection ban, their prices surged to about £400 and have since stabilized around £200, even for captive-bred specimens. Part of this cost is likely due to the expense of shipping these fish from the US.

My main concern with Biota’s pricing, however, relates to price disparities for other species. For example, a Hawaiian Potter’s Angelfish still costs about £800 in the UK. From my perspective, it’s hard to understand why raising this particular angelfish would cost so much more than a similar species that sells for a fraction of the price.

 

[THE_MAD_REEFER]

I miss the HI fish but I'm sure it will be handled correctly. There's a lot of science and people out there who knows how the population of fish are trending. I've had this kole tang for like 8 years and I paid like thirty bucks for him. I was shocked when I started seeing them sell for over 400. I would love to see bright yellow tangs for fifty bucks again though.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I miss the HI fish but I'm sure it will be handled correctly. There's a lot of science and people out there who knows how the population of fish are trending. I've had this kole tang for like 8 years and I paid like thirty bucks for him. I was shocked when I started seeing them sell for over 400. I would love to see bright yellow tangs for fifty bucks again though.

I have 6 yellows and 4 of the six were $29.99 and one $39.99 and last from private party $100

 

[THE_MAD_REEFER]

I have 6 yellows and 4 of the six were $29.99 and one $39.99 and last from private party $100

It's funny how you don't really appreciate something until it isn't there. I always thought they were awesome but never got one because "they're everywhere" lol. I wish I did now

 

[Cheese Griller]

When I first entered the hobby five years ago, yellow tangs were priced around £40 in the UK. However, after the Hawaii collection ban, their prices surged to about £400 and have since stabilized around £200, even for captive-bred specimens. Part of this cost is likely due to the expense of shipping these fish from the US.

My main concern with Biota’s pricing, however, relates to price disparities for other species. For example, a Hawaiian Potter’s Angelfish still costs about £800 in the UK. From my perspective, it’s hard to understand why raising this particular angelfish would cost so much more than a similar species that sells for a fraction of the price.

much more goes into their pricing than the ease of raising the fish, primarily cost of broodstock and yield per spawn. Potters cost so much more than a coral beauty to acquire, and although I’m not exactly sure what their setup is, but I’m assuming they have multiple pairs of each species, so that cost adds up quickly.

Since this is their first time rearing potter’s angels, they are still working out the kinks in the process, so you get less fish per batch, which means you have to charge more to make it worthwhile. As they get better at raising them, the price should come down.

 

[Zekkal]

Any updates or news on Hawaii?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Any updates or news on Hawaii?

As mentioned, it’s moving forward and would not be an overnight process. I predicted no distribution before mar 2025

 

[Jasonak]

It's funny how you don't really appreciate something until it isn't there. I always thought they were awesome but never got one because "they're everywhere" lol. I wish I did now

Blue zoo aquatics used to give you one free if you spent 300.00 or something like that. Thats actually the last one I got :P

 

[ryshark]

As mentioned, it’s moving forward and would not be an overnight process. I predicted no distribution before mar 2025

Any updates in the last month? Still predicting distribution March 2025?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Any updates in the last month? Still predicting distribution March 2025?

Thats my prediction but I am seeing a few Chevron tangs appearing which may be a good sign

 

[Flame2hawk]

$2000 for chevron not a good sign at all….ouch!

 

[ryshark]

$2000 for chevron not a good sign at all….ouch!

Ouch is right! Even if they kept their juvenile colors…..

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ouch is right! Even if they kept their juvenile colors…..

As for now and as discussed, will start high until supply increases and there will have to be a drop