List of Captive-Bred Livestock Available to Hobbyists

[Trumpet12]

This is a list of many of the captive-bred fish and mobile invertebrates that are currently available. For various reasons, this may not be the complete list, so if you have anything to add to the list, please PM me. Please also note that this is a list of the captive-bred fish that are available, and that there are a number of tank-raised fish that are available, but are not listed here. There are sometimes captive-propagated anemones available other than the three that I listed, but it is very rare to find any other species captive-propagated, and even the ones that I listed can be hard to find.

Clownfish

False Percula Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris
Clark's Clownfish - Amphiprion clarkii
Tomato Clownfish - Amphiprion frenatus
Gold-Stripe Maroon Clownfish - Premnas biaculeatus
Cinnamon Clownfish - Amphiprion melanopus
Fire Clownfish - Amphiprion ephippium
Australian Clownfish - Amphiprion rubrocinctus
Orange Skunk Clownfish - Amphiprion sandaracinos
Pink Skunk Clownfish - Amphiprion periderion
Saddleback Clownfish - Amphiprion polymnus
True Percula Clownfish- Amphiprion percula
Sebae Anemonefish- Amphiprion sebae
Twoband Anemonefish- Amphiprion bicinctus
White-tipped Anemonefish- hybrid: Amphiprion sebae x Amphiprion polymnus

Dottybacks

Orchid Dottyback - Pseudochromis fridmani
Striped Dottyback - Pseudochromis sankeyi
Sunrise Dottyback - Pseudochromis flavivertex
Splendid Dottyback - Pseudochromis splendens
Neon Dottyback - Pseudochromis aldabraensis
Diadem Dottyback- Pseudochromis diadema
Lyretail Dottyback- Pseudochromis steenei
Golden Dottyback- Pseudochromis fuscus
Blue-Striped Dottyback- Pseudochromis springeri
Redhead Dottyback- Pseudochromis dilectus

Gobies

Neon Goby - Gobiosoma oceanops
Hybrid Cleaner Goby - Gobiosoma oceanops x Gobiosoma randalli
Yellowline Goby - Gobiosoma randalli
Goldline Goby - Gobiosoma louisae
Pink-Speckled Shrimpgoby- Cryptocentrus leptocephalus
Yellow Watchman Goby- Cryptocentrus cinctus
Luther’s Watchman Goby- Cryptocentrus lutheri
Red-Headed Goby- Elacatinus puncticulatus
Sharknose Goby- Gobiosoma evelynae

Blennies

Striped Poison-Fang Blenny- Meiacanthus grammistes
Green Canary Blenny- Meiacanthus tongaensis
Disco Blenny- Meiacanthus smithi
Canary Blenny- Meiacanthus oualanensis
Mozambique Fangblenny- Meiacanthus mossambicus
Bundoon Blenny- Meiacanthus bundoon
Forktail Blenny- Meiacanthus atrodorsalis
Blackline fangblenny- Meiacanthus nigrolineatus

Grammas

Royal Gramma- Gramma loreto
Blackcap Basslet- Gramma melacara

Cardinalfish
Banggai Cardinalfish- Pterapogon kauderni
Pajama Cardinalfish- Sphaeramia nematoptera

Angelfish

Half Moon Angelfish- Pomacanthus maculosus

Comets and Assessors

Yellow Assessor- Assessor flavissimus
Blue Assessor- Assessor macnelli
Marine Betta- Calloplesiops altivelis

Seahorses

Hippocampus sp.

I know that this is somewhat unclear, but, at the time of writing, one of the major seahorse breeders (Ocean Rider) does not list scientific names. To get a list of the available seahorses, go to the websites of the major seahorse breeders.

Jacks

Pilotfish- Gnathanodon speciosus

Snappers

Emporer snapper- Lutjanus sebae

Mobile Invertebrates

Bubble-Tipped Anemone- Entacmaea quadricolor
Minature Carpet Anemone- Stichodactyla tapetum
Red Waratah Anemone- Actinia tenebrosa
Queen Conch- Strombus gigas
Fighting Conch- Strombus alatus
Peppermint shrimp- Lysmata wurdemanni (Peppermint shrimp are not yet available, but should be soon. A few months before I wrote this, a wholesaler had some captive-bred peppermint shrimp in grow-out.)
Assorted Snails
Upsidedown Jellyfish- Cassiopea frondosa (The scientific name I give here assumes that the wholesaler uses the same common names as I do. This particular species may or may not be available. If it is not, the most likely alternative would be the Mangrove Upsidedown Jellyfish (Cassiopea xamachana).)

Feel free to post questions, comments, or additions to the list.

[Trumpet12]

A few more species that should go on the list are listed in this thread (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=325381).

[JohnL]

We also have a forum dedicated to breeding fish.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=86

[TheMandarinFish]

I have a baby abalone that is a product of breeding. But it's not for sale.

Here's a list that should not be kept in captivity - http://www.aquariumpros.com/articles/badfishlist.shtml

Here's a list that are captive bred, similar to the original message list, but designates which have been CB and which are CB and commercially produced.

Lastly, my favorite... the magnificent Centryopyge Interruptus, available for order. I've checked; they are available and cost the same as their wild caught counterparts, except they are more ethically responsible, healthier, free from disease, and raised on flake food.

A pretty penny, but a pretty much incredible fish. RCT has them here - http://www.rcthawaii.com/purchasefish.htm#
:beer:

I believe Waikiki aquarium (or some breeders / researchers) have raised flame angels and another centropyge species to adulthood.

The tough part is raising fry, of course. But it's being done, and advances in technology are rapid and new species successes are happening.

Can people list links to retail / mail order sources? I really appreciate that and this thread generally.

[Trumpet12]

I have a baby abalone that is a product of breeding. But it's not for sale.

I forgot about those. Some abalones are available CB.

Here's a list that are captive bred, similar to the original message list, but designates which have been CB and which are CB and commercially produced.

I never knew that another fairly up-to-date list existed. I would be interested in seeing the list, but I don't see a link.

A pretty penny, but a pretty much incredible fish. RCT has them here - http://www.rcthawaii.com/purchasefish.htm#

That is an awesome fish! I never knew that they were available CB.


I believe Waikiki aquarium (or some breeders / researchers) have raised flame angels and another centropyge species to adulthood.

I know that flame angels were available to hobbyists a few months ago. Are any of these species available to hobbyists now?

Can people list links to retail / mail order sources?

There is a chance that he has changed his mind, but John(L) once requested that we not list vendors on this thread.

[Sudeep]

This is the link to the list at Reef Culture Technologies

http://www.rcthawaii.com/propagating/specieslist.htm

May be you found that already.

[Trumpet12]

Originally posted by Sudeep
This is the link to the list at Reef Culture Technologies

http://www.rcthawaii.com/propagating/specieslist.htm

May be you found that already.

No, I had not ever seen that before. It is a great list, however I think that many of the species on it would be very hard to find CB.

[dizzy]

The Waikiki Aquarium was the first and I believe only place to rear Genicanthus personatus. They had one individual to reach a nice size, but it unfortunately jumped out of the tank. They are no longer attempting to rear them (per Charles Delbeek.) Frank Baensch of www.rcthawaii was the one with the flame angels to sell. He has also reared the lemon peel (C. flavissimus) and Centropyge multicolor. I believe there was one other Centropyge secies he reared documented in SeaScope. His impressive list is obviously growing. The Oceanagraphic Institute was the first to rear the flame angel Centropyge loriculus I believe. Waikiki,OI, and Baensch all had initial success at around the same time.

Many of the fish listed as aquacultured are not often, if ever available and certainly not in commerical quantities. Some on the list were tried and found not to have commerical potential even if it was possible to rear them. ( by C-Quest) Marine bettas are one I believe. Clown fish, psuedos, and gobies are the most commonly offered. Little is being done to rear bangaii cardinals in commercial quantities.

The AquariumPros list is good and helpful, but certainly not gospel. I have three Chaetodon falcula that are hardy and easy to keep. They accept all manner of food. I also have a Cirrhilabrus labouti that has not been a challenge to get eating to or to keep. The biggest problem with the flasher/fairy wrasses is that they are incredible jumpers. You defintely need a good top with this Genus. Picking suitable tankmates is also helpful and they can be aggressive to their own kind. I would suggest that C. falcual should get a C rating and C. labouti probably a B. I also find it intersting that the Latezonatus clownfish would receive a C. I have never seen one of these in real life and feel it should be rated an H, even though it is probably not a problem with people buying this fish, since it is never offered for sale.

Look for a nice variety of post-larval fish to entering the trade in increasing numbers. While not captive bred they are defintely a better choice for harvesting than the adult breeders.
Mitch

[TheMandarinFish]

I thought the source for post-larval ornamental SW fish decided ultimately against continuing this commercial venture.

That's what I was told by the Marine Depot Live livestock manager, Jim, who used to run Flying Fish Express... the only mail order place I know that was planning large grow-out systems for these fish.

I *REALLY* want to obtain post-larval fish, but don't know that will be a genuine option any time soon.

Until CITES shuts down collection and *forces* the hobby to evolve.

[Will]

Just thought I'd clarify on some of the seahorse species that are available captive bred (there are quite a few):

Hippocampus abdominalis
Hippocampus barbouri
Hippocampus capensis
Hippocampus erectus
Hippocampus ingens
Hippocampus kuda
Hippocampus procerus
Hippocampus reidi
Hippocampus tuberculatus
Hippocampus whitei
Hippocampus zosterae

There are a couple others that have been bred, but these are the most widely-available.

[Trumpet12]

Originally posted by Will
Just thought I'd clarify on some of the seahorse species that are available captive bred (there are quite a few):

Hippocampus abdominalis
Hippocampus barbouri
Hippocampus capensis
Hippocampus erectus
Hippocampus ingens
Hippocampus kuda
Hippocampus procerus
Hippocampus reidi
Hippocampus tuberculatus
Hippocampus whitei
Hippocampus zosterae

There are a couple others that have been bred, but these are the most widely-available.

Thanks Will, that may help someone. :)

[Zedar]

Found these sites:

http://www.amdareef.com/captive_livestock.htm

http://www.orafarm.com/

http://www.oceanrider.com/

[MarineTeng]

could someone make a list like this, but for corals also, i want to try and perserve the reef for when i go visit

[Trumpet12]

Originally posted by MarineTeng
could someone make a list like this, but for corals also, i want to try and perserve the reef for when i go visit

I think that that list would be much harder to make, because there are many more non-WC corals available than there are fish.

[Fragmented]

quote:Originally posted by MarineTeng
could someone make a list like this, but for corals also, i want to try and perserve the reef for when i go visit

Try this site: http://www.garf.org/

You will love what they are all about. They also have great stuff. I feel really good supporting them.

[TheMandarinFish]

Stickeycricket.com / Daisy Hill Cuttle Farm sells tank bred and raised cuttlefish.

Really coo. Contact Righty here on RC if interested.

[FMarini]

Great reference list, and extremely helpful.
Just to keep in mind thou that most if not all of the commerical breeding facilities won't sell to individual hobbyists, they usually have a mimimum dollar amount, so if people want to aquire some of these captive species they'll have to go thru their LFS and pool orders.
Next while many ornamentals on that list have been bred in captivity, they turned out to be less favorable finanically and are not being bred in any real numbers. Case in point, even thou banggais bred easily and readily in the home aquarium, they turn out to be pretty expensive to raise to sellable size, as they have very low fecunditiy and require far more space/brood than their fishy counterparts, hence getting CB/CR banggais is difficult. Its getting better but not what you'd think it would be
I've read a recent report that mentioned that less than 2% of the ornamentals in the hobby are captive bred or farmed.
Great work and lets hope for a better future for these fish

[TheMandarinFish]

I think reef clubs are a critical source.

I'm the Communications Officer for Bay Area Reefers, and have captively bred abalones successfully.

Our president, Rich, is the cuttle breeder.

Our VP is a frag farmer. He doesn't even keep display tanks any more.

My Banggai cardinal is captive bred from a club member. Some of our members breed clowns.

I just wish I could get Centropye Interruptus for less than $500.

[brahm]

don't foget Cuttlefish and octopus from Octopets

[Maximus]

"That is an awesome fish! I never knew that they were available CB."

These fish are sweet. I have a pair that I ordered from RCT and they are extremely hardy and eat everything that is fed to them. They especially like spirulina flake.

[MaryPa]

Where would I find captive bred Bubble-Tipped Anemone?

[PaulB]

Does anyone know of a supplier or someone raising the Waratah Anemones ???

[MaryPa]

Do Bubble-Tipped Anemone ship well? It seems they`re so delicate:(

[Reefcherie]

Do Bubble-Tipped Anemone ship well? It seems they`re so delicate
I have a friend that used to breed them and shipped them all the time. He packaged them carefully, including lots of water compared to the size of the anemone and also used oxygen in the bag like LFS's do for fish.

Ideally, check w/ your nearest local reef club. Many people end up w/ a RBTA clone they need a good home for. If you let folks know you are in the market, someone at the club will know someone.

Cheri

[MaryPa]

Well if anyone lives near York county Pa. i`d like to have an anemone:D Please

[SEAREEF]

Awesome info

[xnikki118x]

Brahm....I LOVE Spaceballs. :) Indeed, Druish princesses are attracted to money and power. Use the Schwartz. ;)

[brahm]

lol

[MoonSoft]

Joan Holt at the University of Texas Marince Science Center in Port Aransas Texas, has successfully bred blood shrimp and striped cleaner shimp at last years TAA meeting had a tour of the facility demonstrating their methods, you can obtain more information at their website, or call or write they seemed quite willing to part with the information, she has also bred a successful stock of lemon peel angles flame angels ect.....

Her response was that she wants to GIVE the information away to people to make businesses out of saltwater ornamentals.

[psy_chick]

heres a whole page of captive grown corals:
Aquacultured corals (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pCatId=1492&ref=3319&subref=BD)

[three fish]

This is my kind of thread. Keep it coming.

[three fish]

Check out
inlandaqautics.com

They have a very interesting list of tank raised and captive bred fish. They list the Imperator and the Koran Angels as captive bred. A few tangs as well. I got my Hippotus tang from them 4 years ago and he is doing great.

[Trumpet12]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6508885#post6508885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by three fish
Check out
inlandaqautics.com

They have a very interesting list of tank raised and captive bred fish. They list the Imperator and the Koran Angels as captive bred. A few tangs as well. I got my Hippotus tang from them 4 years ago and he is doing great.

A few years ago, I called them asking about some unusual CB fish and they told me that their list of TR and CB fish includes fish that they've never seen CB anywhere but that someone once told them they might be able to get. They definately have a great selection anyways, but I'm not sure that it's quite as extensive as it looks.
Of course, some of these fish could have actually shown up over that time. ;)

[hgbarwick]

does any one know where i can get a tank bred sharknose goby

[yeame]

I didnt see any drum fish on the list

[Trumpet12]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7207444#post7207444 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hgbarwick
does any one know where i can get a tank bred sharknose goby

I think that you will have to find a LFS or online vendor who buys from Proaquatix to get that particular fish. That could be difficult, especially considering that Proaquatix is moving their main facility right now.

[Ciarán]

Dont forget Tridacnid clams. Pretty much all Tridacna Derasa are aquacultured and Tridacna Maxima, Tridacna Crocea Tridacna Squamosa, and Hippopus hippopus have/are all successfully aquacultured as far as i am aware. Info sourced from Delbeek and Sprung '97.

[wds21921]

Mary you can always contact www.pacificeastaquaculture.com
Dr. Mac always frags out his live captures to minimize what's taken from the reefs.
He's one of the few who actually practices what he believes in and his specimens are unbelievable :).
You can also contact www.thatpetplace.com which is fairly close to you in Lancaster, PA.

[rickkott13]

hey Maximus, what is that fish call in your fish. looks really cool

[CHAOSTACTICS]

thanks for the list twas quite helpful

[sean1]

I think pretty much all of the tridacna clams except T.tevoroa are aquacultured. Some, such as the massive t.gigas, are hard to come by but still captive bred. Also, is the list about those bred in captivity or those available. I have bred coral banded shrimp but few of the young survive so I don't think you can buy them cb.

[dwd5813]

i dont think you can purchase anything from this site, but project DIBS (http://) is worthy of mention here, i think.

[storrisch]

I have CB nassarius snails in my tank

[jnarowe]

I am a breeder for Project DIBS and we will be testing retail sales through a few LFS within the next few months. Right now DIBS animals are only available within the breeder network as we build it into a viable alternative to wild caught inverts.

[ghostbear29]

I just got back from San Diego and personally saw CB wolf eels. Any takers on that? The little guys were aout 1 1/2 in. long and very gregarious. Good eaters. The store was Pet Kingdom. Found the address in the SDMAC site. Just a little shocked I guess. OF course, arent wolf eels actually a Blenny?

[Pea-brain]

I didn't see yellowhead jawfish on the list? I understand they aren't too hard to raise. sealifeinc.net sellls them....

Dan