From Ocean to Aquarium: The global trade in marine ornamental species

Foreword Most of us at some time or another have enjoyed the relaxing experience of gazing into an aquarium, in a dentist’s waiting room or during a special visit to a public aquarium. In admiring the playfulness of clownfish wriggling amongst the anemones’ tentacles, the grace of angelfish swimming in open water and in our delight at spotting reclusive shrimp and crabs crawling behind iridescent living corals, it is all too easy to overlook the fact that all these wonderful creatures are far from their natural home.