Marine ornamental fish prices from the Philippines 2013 to 2017

A species list of marine aquarium fish and value at first point of sale (to fishermen) compiled using receipts collected from 15 byaheros (middlemen) in the municipality of Calatagan, Philippines. Receipt collection was opportunistic, based on availability. Data was collected as part of a masters research project with Lancaster University. 2018malsackmsc.pdf (lancs.ac.uk) Species’ receipts showed the local common names of species and were identified using fish guides and discussions with key informants. If fishers’ identification contradicted accepted scientific taxonomy, scientific knowledge was given higher merit. In some cases, local names were similar or identical to a species’ common name and were easy to identify, other names could only be determined by the fishers. A list of all names present on receipts was prepared, including the ones with high certainty, and were then verified with the fishers using regional fish guides. Species with high certainty were verified quickly, while other species were initially difficult to identify with fish guides. In these instances, live individuals were examined during fish packaging and later confirmed by both the fishers and fish guides. A total of 255 receipts dating from 2013 to July 2017 were collated (in 2017/2018) to generate a mean price for each species.