naturalpet
Eco-Friendly
aquarium species, because 90 percent
Aquariums
are farm-raised. Captive breeding helps
reduce pressure on wild animal popula-
tions; although many conservationists
argue that maintaining a sustainable
trade in wild-caught organisms can be
Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability. Ener-
an environmentally friendly strategy if it
provides economic incentives for fisher-
gy used to run filters and lights is a major concern. Where the fish origi-
men to keep their local ecosystems
nate is another, as well as where they go at the end of the relationship.
healthy.
Before heading to the pet store, do
by Nina Shen Rastogi
a bit of homework to find out where
the desired fish comes from. There are
T
he ideal eco-aquarium, bal-
about 25 percent lower than in 1997
four Marine Aquarium Council-certified
anced and self-contained, is a
with up-to-date equipment.
retailers in the United States—in Florida,
cherished concept of hobbyists.
Aquariums can also have hidden
Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey—
But research shows that energy usage
environmental costs upstream. In some
where saltwater fish have been verified
for a typical home aquarium can vary
parts of Southeast Asia, where the vast
to be sustainably collected or cultured
widely, depending on the setup.
majority of the world’s saltwater “orna-
and then properly handled through-
According to a 1997 report from
mental” organisms come from, fish are
out the supply chain. A new licensing
the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-
caught using squirt bottles filled with
program should increase the number of
ratory, a small freshwater aquarium—
cyanide, which stuns the animals and
stores supplying MAC-approved fish.
say, 10 gallons in size—might use as lit-
makes them easier to extract from coral
Reef Protection International’s Reef
tle as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to
reefs. But the chemical can also dam-
Fish Guide (ReefProtect.org/fish_guide.
run its lights, filters and aerators. That’s
age the coral, as well as other organ-
htm) further assesses popular marine spe-
about as much as a typical coffeemaker
isms living in the reefs—not to mention
cies based on four criteria: survivability
uses in a year—hardly a major energy
weakening the fish so that fewer of
in home aquaria; abundance in the
suck in the grand scheme of things.
them survive transport. Keeping fish
wild; availability and potential for captive
With increasing size, electricity
healthy is more than an animal rights
breeding; and the collection methods
costs naturally rise. A big, 55-gallon
issue, it’s also an ecological concern,
used. Local hobbyist groups can be other
freshwater tank might use between 280
because the fewer animals that survive
good sources of information and, oc-
and 400 kilowatt-hours annually. Add-
the process, the more intensive the
casionally, homebred fish stock.
ing plants further ups an aquarium’s
harvesting becomes.
Finally, make sure any kids in the
energy appetite, as it requires heavier-
So when buying wild-caught fish,
house don’t harbor a Finding Nemo fan-
duty lighting to keep the plants alive.
look for those that have been captured
tasy. Releasing non-native species into
Generally speaking, saltwater
with hand nets, rather than chemicals.
the wild can cause ecological problems,
tanks use more energy than freshwater
Always avoid threatened and endan-
particularly if those species become
ones, due to the increased need for
gered species among both freshwater
established populations. Do not dump
pumps and power heads to create
and saltwater fish.
an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it
water currents. Marine aquariums can
The silvery, black-striped, Banggai
down a toilet. Instead, find a new home
pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a
cardinalfish, only found in a few pock-
for a fish that has worn out its welcome,
small tank, and up to about 800 for a
ets off the coast of Indonesia, for ex-
perhaps with a local pet store.
large tank.
ample, has been labeled an endangered
The best of all worlds is to avoid
Since the Berkeley Laboratory
species by the International Union for
getting into such a situation in the first
report came out a dozen years ago,
the Conservation of Nature, largely
place: Make sure to buy only fish species
there have been a few advances in the
due to overzealous harvesting for the
that won’t grow too big for the desig-
efficiencies of aquarium equipment.
aquarium trade. The United Nations’
nated aquarium and won’t start turf wars
Using LED lights can shave off a few
environmental office noted in 2003 that
with their tank-mates. As with any other
kilowatt-hours and newer, energy-sav-
less than 10 percent of marine orna-
purchase, the greenest choice will be the
ing pumps and ballasts have come onto
mental species were capable of being
one we don’t have to replace.
the market. One equipment salesperson
farm-cultured.
estimated that the amount of electric-
Fortunately, sustainable collec-
Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-
ity used by aquariums today could be
tion is less of an issue with freshwater
ronmental column at
Slate.com.
16
www.VOFLnatural.com
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