Captive breeding
Though this fish is small and so rarely eaten, there have been concerns on its harvesting for the pet trade. Captive breeding has been attempted, succeeding in ICAR; this method has apparently also been replicated by fish farmers. The IUCN has considered the harvesting to be a potential cause of decline, which may be supported by population surveys, but more surveys must be conducted in order to confirm the effects. If captive breeding cannot fuel the stock needed for the aquarium trade, then it may have to be reassessed, potentially moving it to a higher threat category.