What Is Legal to Collect for a Home Aquarium?

January 18, 2019

Question: I’ve been doing some research to see if it is ok to collect marine animals and/or plants for a private tank aquarium, but have not been able to find much information. Is it ok to put any type of “fin fish” in an aquarium? Is it ok to put invertebrates (clams, rock scallops, sea urchin, octopus, shrimp, etc.) in an aquarium? What about legal-size California spiny lobster, or marine plants? (Garrett)

Answer: The only finfish you may possess and display in your home aquarium are those purchased legally through a commercial aquarium vendor and/or pet supply business. Live finfish may not be collected from the wild for aquarium display because it is illegal to transport live “finfish” from the wild (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 1.63).

Live marine invertebrates may be collected, but only under the authority of a sport fishing license, and only those species allowed under a sport fishing license may be taken. In addition, any species with sport fishing restrictions (e.g. bag, size, possession, season limits, methods of take) are still covered under those regulations, and so collectors must also abide by these laws.

Invertebrates collected under the authority of a sport fishing license may not be used to establish breeding colonies for sale or trade with other people. Any trading, selling or possession for sale or trade of these animals constitutes commercial marine aquaria pet trade activity and requires all parties to hold “marine aquaria collectors permits” authorizing this practice. A marine collector’s permit is also required for any animals on display for the public.

Marine plants or algae, with the exception of eel grass (Zostera), surf grass (Phyllospadix) or sea palm (Postelsia), may be harvested from the wild as long as they are not taken from state marine reserves. State marine conservation areas and state marine parks may prohibit take. The daily bag limit on all marine aquatic plants for which the take is authorized is 10 pounds wet weight in the aggregate.

Seems kind of ridiculous.

What is the logic for not allowing people to put a fish in an aquarium instead of eating it? I'd bet that most fish would prefer the former to the latter. And why would it be so bad to "establish breeding colonies for sale or trade with other people", as that would reduce the demand on the wild population?

Seems kind of ridiculous.

What is the logic for not allowing people to put a fish in an aquarium instead of eating it? I'd bet that most fish would prefer the former to the latter. And why would it be so bad to "establish breeding colonies for sale or trade with other people", as that would reduce the demand on the wild population?

Because the government won’t get there cut of the money.