Now, for the first time in Hawaii, lawmakers are considering a limit on those catches. No more than 20 ornamental fish per day per collector, with no more than 5 yellow tangs in the mix.

"The 20 fish per day per permitted license collector is an amount we felt was reasonable for anyone who wants to maintain a home aquarium or catch sustenance fishing," said Robert Wintner, owner of Snorkel Bobs, a chain of dive shops.

Supporters said the fish are disappearing from our reefs and putting regulations in place is the only way to ensure their survival. That in turn, would save our fragile underwater eco-system.

"People don't understand there is a limit to these resources, Hawaiians knew this and they put restrictions, Kapu on various fish throughout the area, various areas," said one supporter.

Randy Fernley said the 20 fish a day limit would be disastrous to his tropical fish business.

"It would kill my business, absolutely kill my business," said Fernley.

A business that's growing statewide. In the past 20 years, the state's total catch of aquarium fish has quintupled.

In 2005, the industry reported catching nearly $750,000 fish, grossing more than $3 million in sales.

Many of the fish are sold overseas.

Fernley isn't against regulation. But he believes the state and collectors can find a better compromise.

"We've got to do something we can't let it go and I agree we need to manage this correctly but we can't be shutting down an industry," Fernley said.

And finding that balance between aquarium lovers and conservationists is now in lawmakers hands.

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