Finding & Keeping Dory...

With the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming Disney movie Finding Dory, Maidenhead Aquatics is both keen to see the next instalment of the Pixar classic, but also very conscious that in tandem with passion for the film there will also come a surge of interest in Regal Tangs within the home aquarium itself.  It’s possible that children throughout the country will be heading to their LFS to see the famous Dory, as well as reacquainting themselves with cries of delight for the long-lost Nemo!

At Maidenhead Aquatics we welcome all to our stores, and it is fantastic to see the pleasure that a sighting of Nemo or Dory can bring. Yet ultimately our key focus, above all else, is the well-being of our livestock, both in how they are treated before they come to our stores, and the future care that they will receive after they leave. So, with the highly predictable rise in interest that we envisage, we as a group are keen to exercise caution and ensure all are clearly informed as we meet this rising tide of enthusiasm.

One of the most loved fish within the hobby, the Regal Tang can be challenging to keep in the home aquarium and their care requirements must be carefully balanced. These delicate beauties require very large aquariums, even when small, and highly efficient filtration providing excellent water quality is an absolute necessity. This is a fish for the experienced enthusiast; this is not a fish to be bought on a whim.

To ensure widespread awareness and ethically responsible fishkeeping in the light of rising interest, all Maidenhead stores are in the process of displaying large, prominently placed signs covering the major aspects concerning the upkeep of these beautiful animals and expressing how large these fish can grow (12”+). Also, as a further precaution, the number of stores stocking these beautiful fish will also be restricted, so that only in our most marine-focused stores will you be able to purchase a Regal Tang if, and on the strong proviso, evidence of the ability to care for the animals for its entire time in your care is clear. 

As a company of enthusiasts, Maidenhead Aquatics puts considerable investment into sourcing sustainable fish for our stores and with the Regal Tang there is clearly no exception. To this end, Maidenhead Aquatics works very closely with LINI, a non-profit organisation in Indonesia working towards the development of community based marine conservation. A joint project between LINI and one of Maidenhead’s largest fish suppliers in Indonesia, has focussed on growing on Regal Tangs for both the hobby and to rebuild local fish populations. Post larval fry are caught and reared in ideal conditions, until they reach around 2”. At this stage, they can either enter the hobby, finding their way into aquariums world-wide, or be reintroduced into the sea. With the estimated calculation that between 80-90% of Regal Tang fry won’t make it to adulthood, rearing them in the safety of captivity is clearly vitally important. Rearing fry in this carefully controlled environment creates a significantly more sustainable source of fish and helps re-establish populations in areas where numbers have dwindled.

We look forward to seeing you in our stores, and hope you will enjoy your visit and share our passion for our incredible livestock. Please do though be aware you won’t be Finding Dory in all of our stores, and where you do, should you be considering purchase we urge you to consider the environment of your aquarium, and the degree of your experience, with caution. At Maidenhead Aquatics, we care deeply for the well-being of our livestock and importantly, our demands are high for you to take one of these beautiful fish home. Don’t be offended if we ask you lots of questions before buying; our one and only concern is Dory and her happiness!