Internet auctions of threatened native ornamental fishes in Japan

Abstract

The trade in endangered native fishes for ornamental purposes is becoming popular in Japan. The recent growth in this trade has been reflected in the number of auctions, which has raised concern for wild populations. This study analysed the state and pattern of such trades using auction trade data for 184 endangered species on the Red List of the Ministry of Environment of Japan over a 10-year period. Most of the trade involved 10 species, of which the top three were Coreoperca kawamebari, Lates japonicus, and Acheilognathus typus. A cluster analysis of the data classified the trading pattern into eight subgroups, such as “main channel”, “low-margin high-volume”, and “high added value” species. High-volume trade based on captive-bred individuals was confirmed for several species of bitterling fishes (Cyprinidae: Acheilognathinae).