Species Saved by Hobbyists
Skiffia francesae (Golden Skiffia): extinct in the wild, surviving only in captive populations.
Goodea atripinnis (Black-finned Goodeid): endangered in Mexico, sustained captive populations exist.
Various Lake Victoria cichlids: lost in the wild to invasive Nile perch, surviving via captive lines.
Tigris Hap (Pundamilia nyererei): captive lines preserve genetic diversity.
CARES Preservation Program
CARES (Conservation, Awareness, Recognition, Encouragement, Support) tracks aquarium species at risk in the wild.
Hobbyists register their captive populations. CARES coordinates breeding, distribution, and genetic management.
Currently maintains 200+ species across hundreds of hobbyist breeders worldwide.
How to Participate
Choose CARES-listed species when stocking new tanks. Examples: many Goodeid livebearers, several Lake Victoria cichlids, certain killifish, several wild bettas.
Breed and distribute captive offspring. CARES network helps coordinate.
Document your population: lineage records, breeding success, photos.
Citizen Science
Document observations on iNaturalist, Fishbase, and academic databases.
Photograph wild fish in their habitats during travel.
Report sightings of rare or threatened species.
Ethical Sourcing
Captive-bred preferred over wild-caught for most species.
Wild-caught acceptable for: species not yet bred in captivity, sustainable fisheries (Project Piaba in Brazil), and species where wild collection supports local economies and prevents habitat destruction.
Avoid: cyanide-caught marine species, illegally collected wildlife.
Species to Avoid
Banggai cardinalfish: wild populations crashing from over-collection. Buy captive-bred only.
Mandarin dragonet: wild-caught die in 99% of home tanks (specialist diet).
Tomato clownfish wild-caught: same.
Generally: stick to captive-bred for marines.