If you enjoy visiting the local aquariums to see the beautiful colorful fish and exotic animals of the oceans, then at some point you probably have seen the bright blue fish 'Dory' aka Blue Tang. Most people look, point or ooohhh and awww at the pretty fish, but little known fact about this fish, up until this year those beautiful fish were taken from the reef and usually not in a kind, good sort of way either.
The blue tang is a popular, high-value aquarium species. Trade data show that out of nearly 2,300 saltwater aquarium fish species imported to the U.S., blue tangs have been ranked as high as the 10th most imported fish, thanks in part to their eye-catching colors and relative affordability.
In fact, roughly only 14 percent of the nearly 2,300 species in the saltwater aquarium trade have been successfully bred and reared in captivity, but only about one percent are commonly available to aquarists as aquacultured animals.
BUT on a good note, as of the begging of this year, University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Lab, the Blue Tang has been bred in captivity for the first time. One more step to saving our beautiful friends in the oceans.
The blue tang is a popular, high-value aquarium species. Trade data show that out of nearly 2,300 saltwater aquarium fish species imported to the U.S., blue tangs have been ranked as high as the 10th most imported fish, thanks in part to their eye-catching colors and relative affordability.
In fact, roughly only 14 percent of the nearly 2,300 species in the saltwater aquarium trade have been successfully bred and reared in captivity, but only about one percent are commonly available to aquarists as aquacultured animals.
BUT on a good note, as of the begging of this year, University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Lab, the Blue Tang has been bred in captivity for the first time. One more step to saving our beautiful friends in the oceans.
More info: news.nationalgeographic.com
Baby Dory from Disney's Finding Dory
Dory and her real life version the Blue Tang
The first Blue Tangs bred in captivity
A Blue Tang in an at home aquarium
