A new study has revealed that 90% of marine aquarium fish sold by major US retailers are caught from the wild.
Researchers found most species come from the western Pacific and Indian oceans, often with little traceability.
“The trade is opaque from reef to retail,” said Dr Bing Lin of the University of Sydney, who led the study.
Globally, about 55 million marine animals are sold each year in an industry worth over $2 billion.
Forty-five of the species identified are listed as threatened or declining, including Banggai cardinalfish and clarion angelfish.
Many endangered species bypass global trade protections and still appear on the market, Lin warned.
Experts say better oversight, eco-certification, and consumer awareness are key to protecting fragile reef ecosystems.
“Without strong management, wild capture can deplete populations and disrupt social species,” said marine biologist Dr Marian Wong.
