Often discussed but obviously not being stressed enough is the topic of unsuitable species. 

SAIA decided to compile a list of marine aquarium species/families who we think are difficult to keep alive and thriving in the long-term in the average aquarium hobbyist reef (community) tank, to complement the SAIA FishSelector©, but also our 'Code of Best Practices'.

Primary objective of this list is to raise awareness for a responsible, ethical and sustainable hobby and trade by giving a second thought and considering potential difficulties in keeping that particular organism caused by special needs of it. Furthermore information on the sustainability of species shall be provided. 

In the end the list shall identify species which are not justifiable to trade in volume.

Thus in the first instance we aim at aquarium hobbyists who bear the responsibility for creating demand for a species.

For the industry the list shall serve as guideline on what to avoid when placing an order unless listed species are requested by a buyer with either proven record of being capable to keep such specimens or for the purpose of breeding or research. Such buyers are certainly not the average hobbyist.

We would like to point out that the number of species listed as unsuitable or unsustainable is probably not even a tenth of what is traded, thus no significant loss to business and economy will result from adhering to this list nor does it restrict the hobby significantly in the species variety on offer.

However most of the species concerned are available from the wild only. 

So why take from the wild what does not survive for long in our tanks anyway or is already threatened by extinction? 

The list of unsuitable & unsustainable species is not meant to ban the listed species from trade totally, but rather to decrease the demand for such species.

Species appear for the following reasons (Please note that where a family/genus is listed, the criteria in question relates to all members of that family/genus): 

Criteria of unsuitability:

• Diet: Require a specialized diet, very difficult to duplicate in captivity (e.g. coral polyps, sponges, tunicates).
• Habitat: Require a specialized habitat which is very difficult to simulate (e.g. deep sand bed, depths of more than 10 meters)
• Aggressive: Extremely aggressive, have large territories in the wild, and are unsuitable for community aquariums. Note: aggression in fish is not anger but is due to highly-territorial behavior.
• Size: Grow too large for home aquariums, may require 4000 litres or more. Considering size does not mean to provide a tank where the organism is well covered with water only, but an adequate habitat!
• Stress: Those species that are sensitive and stress easily, do not transport well, and are susceptible to parasites and disease. This classification also includes species that only seem to survive in an aquarium when kept in large shoals and those that are collected from deep water, often improperly.
• (Potentially harmful: information on venomous/harmful species will be provided)

Criteria of being unsustainable:

• Rarity:  If it is difficult to find a species in the wild this may be an indicator of rarity. The minimum criteria is data deficiency on stock status. The industry does not want to stand accused of collecting a species to extinction.
• Destructive collection methods: collection of these species might lead to destruction of the habitat (e.g. cyanide/drug use)
• Stock Status: the species is threatened in its population by other activities (e.g. by catch of food fishery, habitat loss)
• Source: species being readily available from culture/breeding shall not be taken and offered from the wild.

Some species might hit several categories and criteria, some only one. Nevertheless species marked as unsuitable or unsustainable should not be demanded by or sold to the average hobbyist.

It is not an exhaustive list of species and covers fish species only at the moment.

We will up-date and extend this list over time.

If you disagree with any of our selections, or feel we've left out a particular species, please email us.

We'll evaluate your comments and revise our list if you can plead a good case. Comments like "I've kept one for years" will be ignored, as exceptions to everything in life and nature exist, and your case is the exception according to our research, whether you like it or not.

Finally we would like to recommend resources of additional information related to the topic:

http://www.takelifeeasy.com/reefsuk/articles/unsustainablelivestock.php

http://www.meerwasser-lexikon.de

http://www.reeframblings.co.uk/?p=1174

http://www.unep-wcmc.org/resources/publications/UNEP_WCMC_bio_series/17.htm

http://www.saltcorner.com