The Trafficked Tang
the unfortunate story of trade in blue tangs
Project Overview
As a team we have selected to uncover the inner workings of the saltwater aquarium trade, specifically in relation to the Blue Tang Paracanthurus hepatus. This tropical saltwater fish has in the last two decades, become increasingly popular in the aquarium trade leading to declines of wild populations worldwide. In this project we will explore the biology of blue tangs, why they have become such a popular trafficked species, and how they end up in pet shops here in Colorado.
- The Blue Tang Paracanthurus hepatus
Paracanthurus hepatus is a tropical saltwater fish native to the Indian and Pacific oceans, particularly in proximity to coral reefs. A member of the surgeonfish family, they are brightly colored, sporting beaming blue bodies (as adults), an elongated but roughly circular shape, and yellow tails. They rarely exceed two 15 inches in length and weigh roughly 20 ounces on average. Blue Tangs have compact and honed teeth adapted for feeding off of coral reefs. Females are typically smaller than males, though the differences may not be easily noticeable. Exclusively herbivores, they consume algae or other sea flora. Blue Tangs provide an important service to the areas in which they reside by consuming surplus algae that grows on reefs, allowing the coral to breathe. Their major defensive mechanism from predators is to make themselves appear dead, until their pursuer loses interest. They are social and typically form schools of roughly a dozen individuals.
Blue Tang Breeding and its Effects on Trade
Breeding habits are complex and require a unique combination of natural settings and processes to be successful. As a result, no artificial breeding of these species has been consistently achieved. This reality has created a demand for wild caught fish, which for a variety of reasons has negative impacts on their native habitats. The 2016 film, “Finding Dory'', exhibited a Blue Tang as its main character, raising concerns about increasing popularity of the species as an aquarium fish. This of course could lead to increased extraction of the species from its native waters, a fate that has met other species highlighted in blockbuster cinemas.
“as many as a quarter-million have been removed from their homes on reefs each year” - National Geographic
Although the Blue Tang is currently listed as “least concern” by the IUCN, it could become endangered if this practice grows
Trafficking Tangs
The majority of pet trade in the United States is imported either from Indonesia, Thailand or the Philippines. Hawaii has previously been a harvest location for Blue Tangs but has instituted a ban on capturing tangs due to significant population decline. There is little data on how exactly they are transferred to the united states likely due to the fact that the trade in surgeonfish is legal.
Trafficking Tangs
In southeast asia, the capture of tangs for trade is typically done by fishermen who rely on the money from the sale of tangs to supplement their income. There are 2 main ways they are harvested, one involves using sodium cyanide, sprayed onto the reef to stun the fish for collection, which is the most common, and netting the fish. The tangs are then sold to wholesalers, transported by boat or car to a wholesale seller. The middleman then sell the fish directly to international hobbyists or to pet stores. The fish are then transported typically by airplane and then by vehicle to their final location.
The Fish Crew
Simon - Fish Crew
“Captured in the wild then brought to captive facilities where they (the tangs) are sold to wholesalers and then sold to us (Fish Crew).” (Simon-Fish Crew employee)
“Small Blue Hippo Tang will go for $89.99 and that’s for a Tang that is not even two inches long” (Simon-Fish Crew Employee)
Petco Loveland
Scott - Petco
“Middle man vendors” (most Tangs do go through a middle man)
Some (Tangs) are wild caught and brought directly to us (Petco) though” (however some are captured and then directly brought to Petco)
Pricing of Tangs: “With Covid, especially dealing with saltwater fish, our prices have gone up”
“Most popular Tang are the yellow and blue Tangs, the blue probably because they look like Dory from Finding Nemo”
“Blue Tangs are our most expensive and go for about $120 although the yellows are not too far off that price point”
“Largest Tang I have seen here (at Petco) was around 3 or so inches, definitely in a juvenile stage and not a baby”
Port to The Continental US
Large ports such as the one in Long Beach California as well as the Los Angeles Airport become trade hubs for the pacific region to the US
Hawaii
“Yellow Tang ban in Hawaii so we (Fish Crew) can not purchase Tangs off the coast of Hawaii anymore.” (Simon-Fish Crew Employee) (said the ban was due to overfishing in the area) - Simon
“Hawaiian ban has not affected sales dramatically” - Scott
South East Asia
Much of the current stock of blue tangs originates in south east asia.
“Lot of our wild caught Tangs come off the coast of Philippines” -Scott
East Africa
Any location where blue tangs exist can become locations for harvest because they are easy targets and can supplement income as is the case for the coastal regions East Africa.
Stated most Tangs are coming off the coasts of either Eastern Asia or the Coast of Africa depending on the type of Tang -Simon
