Aquarium of the Pacific Develops New Methods to Breed and Raise Fish Species Under Human Care

July 28, 2026

Through a collaborative three-year project, aquariums across the country, including the Aquarium of the Pacific, and other research institutions, have figured out how to breed more than twenty marine finfish species under human care, a first for some of those species. This project has helped contribute to thousands of individual fish bred and shared with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facilities in the United States.

"It is our hope that the advancement made in breeding these animals can have applications to further conservation in the future," said Alex Bohardt, Aquarium of the Pacific assistant curator of aquatic sustainability.

The initiative called "Catalyzing Marine Finfish Aquaculture Through Public Aquariums" is funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Sea Grant. Marine finfish are saltwater, gill-breathing aquatic animals with backbones and fins. The public can now learn more about the non-profit Aquarium of the Pacific's work and that of the other collaborators through a new interactive StoryMap.

The process begins with healthy adult fish releasing eggs and sperm in a controlled environment. Fertilized eggs are collected and transferred to larval rearing systems. The larvae live off their yolk sac for a short time before they begin to feed on small zooplankton. Once they become juveniles, they are moved to a larger nursery until they are large enough to move to an exhibit habitat. The Aquarium of the Pacific is part of the AZA Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee, whose initiative is the foundation for this work. The Aquarium has also contributed to the AZA Marine Fish Egg Catalog.

The new digital experience, the "Breeding and Raising Fish for Aquariums" StoryMap, uses videos, photos, and maps to offer a look at the science of sustainable aquaculture breeding under human care. You can learn more about the Aquarium's conservation work, including breeding programs, here.