Plundering coral reefs to fill fish tanks

The world’s richest reefs are being plundered to furnish aquariums with exotic fish and corals.

AQUARIUM hobbyists were once happy having a few fish swimming in a glass tank decorated with artificial plants and rocks. Not anymore. Today, home aquariums house “mini reefs”, which are almost perfect replicas of real marine ecosystems. Eager to recreate lively and colourful coral reefs in glass tanks, hobbyists are seeking not only the most unique reef fish, but also marine invertebrates such as sponges, anemones and starfish, and of course, live corals.