New research shows 90% of marine fish sold by major US retailers come directly from the wild.
The study, led by Dr Bing Lin from the University of Sydney, found most species were caught in the western Pacific and Indian oceans.
Globally, around 55 million marine animals are sold each year in an aquarium trade worth more than US$2bn.
Fish such as the Banggai cardinalfish and clarion angelfish—both threatened—are still appearing in online listings.
“The trade is opaque all along the supply chain, from reef to retail,” said Lin.
Many endangered species slip through Cites protections and reach consumers without proper oversight.
Lin called for stronger traceability, eco-certification, and support for sustainable wild fisheries that protect biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Dr Marian Wong of the University of Wollongong said most buyers “have little idea how the fish were caught or bred.”
Without stricter management, she warned, the trade could deplete wild populations and disrupt marine ecosystems.
