In a 2000 survey the American Pet Products Manufacturer's Association, Inc. found that there had been an increase in the number of U.S. households that own fish as pets (12.9% in 2000 vs. 9.2% in 1998). The same survey discovered that the amount of money saltwater aquarium owners spent on new/additional fish increased from $95 per year in 1998 to $126 per year in 2000 with 5% of the saltwater aquarium owners spending over $500 per year (2002). Only 6% of fish owners (fresh and saltwater combined) breed fish for money (2002). Therefore, the vast majority of aquarium species are supplied by other sources. These sources include wholesalers and collection from wild stocks.

The ornamental market for native marine species in the PNW is difficult to assess. Many local researchers and aquaculturists are enthusiastic about the prospect of culturing species for home and public aquariums. Others are more wary of this venture possibly due to the relatively recent emergence of the industry and the fact that culturing strategies may be significantly different than those for the food market. (Photo contributed by the Oregon Coast Aquarium.)

Culturing for the ornamental market requires a different scale of production and involves closed systems to reduce the risk of loss, provide continuous output, and provide a highly controlled environment. Some have suggested culturing the same species for both the food and ornamental markets. Currently, divers capture species from wild stocks in the PNW to meet a portion of the ornamental market demand in the region.

• "People enjoy seeing species that are endemic to the Pacific Northwest," (Donald Samuelson, Grays Harbor College).
• There is potential demand in doctors' offices and restaurants. Plus there will be a need for businesses to setup, stock, and maintain the systems.
• Individual animals can be of very high value. Food species often sell for $1–2/kg versus ornamental species which can sell for up to $400/kg.
• Chillers (needed to maintain cold water aquariums) are expensive but their cost is dropping.
• One does not need a large area for culturing an ornamental species.
• Individuals are sold when they are younger and smaller than individuals grown for food.
• Culturing species could lessen the environmental impacts on wild populations.
• Reduced environmental impact if closed systems are used.

• Not much is known about the ornamental market in the Pacific Northwest.
• The ornamental industry is a "tough industry" due to it unpredictability (Joel Van Eenennaam, University of California at Davis).
• Much of the information in this industry is proprietary.
• The ornamental market is still a relatively small market.
• One would need a large amount of market survey work prior to culturing a species for this niche since not much research has been performed on the ornamental market compared to the food market.
• The market for cold water aquariums is much smaller than the market for marine tropical aquariums.
• There are not many native species sold to the ornamental market since a chiller would be required and tropical species are more popular.
• Marine ornamentals are the smallest sector of the aquarium industry.