SIZE INFOGRAPHIC

3m Marines that become monsters Nathan Hill explains that some marine cuties grow into that should never have left the high seas.

he marine fishkeeping fraternity has To make matters worse, some fish we see for measuring more than 50cm/20” that predates grown considerably over the last few sale are pelagic — happiest roaming vast on anything it can fit into its mouth. years, thanks to the arrival of easier to waters. The Remora, for example, hitches a ride Juvenile Batfish, too, have the most unusual use equipment that’s accessible and on seafaring sharks, travelling stupendous shape and colours when very young — only to Tfairly priced. distances over just one day, let alone its lifetime. become gigantic, silver, heavyset fish in later life. The momentum within the trade looks set to Conditions like these are not replicable for the Taking on any livestock is more than just an continue too, as more and more enthusiasts home , and fish like these should never act of collecting and keeping alive. When buying 70% strive to bring creatures from ‘the great appear at any stage of the aquarium trade, yet a fish, you take on the responsibility for that unknown’ into their home aquaria. we still encounter keepers who genuinely think animal’s wellbeing for the remainder of its life. Of the world’s However, some of these animals should be left they have the space to cater for them. It’s not enough to plead ignorance at a later in the . Sizes of fish should always be fully Ultimately, this is a fish that even large public date when you’re unable to cater for your marine fish understood prior to purchase — and nothing aquaria become twitchy about. fast-growing charges. should ever be bought on a whim. The biggest danger is in the charming appeal Research any fish thoroughly before making stocks are in crisis. It is arguable that the big fish issue is more of juvenile marine . Take the Panther any purchase, and do the right thing. If it’s not prevalent in the marine than freshwater hobby grouper. When young, this fish has the most within your capabilities then don’t buy, however Whimsically buying 2m — and certainly the salt-free world has more captivating Dalmatian-type spots on its body. cute it may look. than its fair share of tank inhabitants that are However, these eventually lose their dazzle and Here’s an at-a-glance illustration of the sizes fish you cannot destined to stay smaller. before you know it you’re lumbered with a fish some prized ‘pet’ marine fish can grow to…. keep only fuels this “It’s not enough to plead ignorance later problem. Always when you’re unable to cater for them ...” shop wisely.

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1234567890 Human, 183cm Porcupine Puffer, Remora, 86.4cm 1234567890 Humphead Wrasse, Potato Cod, 200cm 91cm Black Tip Reef Shark, Clown Trigger, 50cm Lookdown, 48.3cm Lipstick Tang, 46cmFrench Angel, 41cm 229cm Grouper, 120cm Spotted Grunt, 72cm 200cm Golden Trevally, 120cm Panther Grouper, 70cm Roundfin Batfish, 70cm Volitans Lionfish, 38cm Banded Cat Shark, 121cm