Project Proposal for the

Establishment of

Ornamental Fish Breeding and

Management Training facilities at

SRTRI, Campus

April 2005

Table of Contents

Summary...........................................................................................................3

Project Rationale...............................................................................................4Background..................................................................................................4Project Description.....................................................................9Goals......................................................................................9Objectives ..............................................................................9Activities...............................................................................10Time Line .............................................................................13Project Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................13Community Involvement......................................................13

Summary

Summary

Tropical ornamental fish comprise a varied list of species, each with their own peculiar requirements for commercial production, and markets for these fish are as varied as the fish themselves. A considerable amount of prior knowledge is recommended to anyone who wishes to enter the field. It is extremely difficult for new producers to get good information on how to produce tropical fish; although many production techniques and management skills required for tropical fish are similar to those in a food fish operation, the specific methods for producing a given species are usually closely guarded secrets.While not unique to Florida, tropical fish production is concentrated there. This results primarily from the climate, but the historical strength of the industry is also a factor. Tropical fish

Several alternative income generation activities are proposed for development by the Iwokrama Centre and the NRDDB under a sustainable utilization area and a broad integrated fisheries management plan respectively. The development of the NRDDB’s plan is facilitated by the Iwokrama Centre, and involve the communities of the North Rupununi, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock. The proposed plans include fish farming, Arapaima management and trading in ornamental fish; these activities have arisen from recommendations during workshops and on natural resource management in the Rupununi and Guyana.In this document, we develop the idea of the aquarium fish trade as a sustainable business in the North Rupununi that would potentially be used by Iwokrama. This document presents the idea to stakeholders to encourage them to add their inputs. The document provides a background that includes the biophysical nature of the North Rupununi; the status of its fish fauna; and considers issues that affect Iwokrama’s and the community’s capacity to effectively monitor and conserve their natural resources. The background also discusses prior work done by the NRDDB and the Iwokrama Centre in nurturing and developing the project to its present stage.This project plan presents objectives and a draft work plan and timeline for project activities. The document recommends which communities should be involved in the trade and describes the infrastructural and institutional systems that need to be developed for project implementation. Suggested infrastructural needs include developing a holding station and purchasing fishing and shipping equipment. From an institutional perspective, community organizational systems must improve, an operational or work plan for the trade needs to be developed, community members need training in financial management, harvest management, marketing, and research. The plan also presents mechanisms for ensuring accountability and for effectively managing the project. A key issue will be to define a clear set of indicators that will accurately allow the NRDDB and Iwokrama to monitor and evaluate the project

The fish-keeping hobby is believed to have started in China 1,000 years ago and spread to England in course of time. Rapid technological advances and the advent of air transport popularised the hobby.

Aquarium fish keeping began in 1805. The first public display aquarium opened at Robert's Park in England in 1853. However, the market for ornamental fish in the world for public aquaria is less than one per cent and 99 per cent of the market is still confined to domestic aquaria.

The world's best aquarium is in San Francisco. The aquaria are placed in 10 levels one above the other. The best one in India is the Taraporevala Aquarium in Mumbai.

IntroductionOrnamental fish keeping is becoming popular as an easy and stress relieving hobby. About 7.2 million houses in the USA and 3.2 million in the European Union have an aquarium and the number is increasing day by day through out the world. Ornamental fish farming is also growing to meet this demand. The fact is that USA, Europe and Japan are the largest markets for ornamental fish but more than 65% of the exports come from Asia. It is encouraging news for developing countries that more than 60% of the total world trade goes to their economies. Although India is still in a marginal position its trade is developing rapidly. An estimate carried out by Marine Products Export Development Authority of India shows that there are one million fish hobbyists in India. The internal trade is estimated to be about U.S.$ 3.26 million and the export trade is in the vicinity of U.S.$ 0.38 million. The annual growth rate of this trade is 14%. A rich diversity of species and favorable climate, cheap labor and easy distribution make India, and West Bengal in particular, suitable for ornamental fish culture. With Kolkata as a distribution and export center the adjoining districts have become the major ornamental fish-producing zones of India. About 90% of Indian exports go from Kolkata followed by 8% from Mumbai and 2% from Chennai. In the state of West Bengal there are more than 2000 people involved in this trade including ornamental fish breeders, growers, seed and live food collectors, traders and exporters (Fig. 1). About 150 families are involved in ornamental fish farming to maintain theirlivelihood. More than 500 families use it as an additional income generating business.

World trade of ornamental fishes has reached more than one billion dollars and is growing rapidly at around 10% per year.India currently exports only around Rs. 30 million (US$650,000 million) of ornamental fish. However, the northeast of India has many species of fish that have great potential in the ornamental trade and many of which are attractive to foreign markets. There is great potential to expand the local industry.

The US, Europe and Japan are major markets for ornamental fish, but their oft chilly climates allow only for tropical fish breeding by expensive artificial means. They prefer to import the fish from Asian countries and territories including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Singapore annually earns more than $300mil from export of ornamental fish, while other countries and territories export around $200mil.  The figure is currently $4-5mil for Vietnam, while this country has an ‘absolute advantage” in breeding ornamental fish.

Ornamental fish breeding and culture -a new dimension

to aquaculture entrepreneurship in India The hobby of Ornamental fish keeping in India is nearly 70 years old. It began with the British and continueing till today. As the days passed, the Ornamental fish keeping and its propagation has become an interesting activity of many, which provided not only aesthetic pleasure but also financial openings. About 600 ornamental fish species have been reported worldwide from various aquatic environments. Indian waters possess a rich aquatic biodiversity with 2118 fin-fishes distributed in different ecosystems, out of which

520 species are found exclusively in cold and warm water. It is estimated that more than 100 varieties of indigenous ornamental fishes are available in our freshwater ecosystem in addition to a similar number of exotic species that are bred in captivity. Further, the vast potential of natural resources of India in comparison to other potential countries like Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong King (China), Thailand etc. offers great scope and possibilities of commercial

freshwater ornamental fish production and export. The global ornamental fish trade tuned to US$ 4.5 billion in 1995 and with an annual growth rate of about 10%, this increased to US$ 7 billion today. Though India’s export (US$ 0.25 million in 1997) in global trade is very less, still the days are not far to achieve an important position in aquarium trade.

Ornamental fish-keeping in aquaria, though a costly hobby, but can be profitable if its breeding is mastered upon. It provides not only essential self-employment to the rural as well as urban entrepreneurs but also valuable profits in terms of foreign exchange. It is, therefore, imperative to understand in detail about their various breeding behavior including their sexual differentiations, larval rearing, water chemistry, nutrition, disease etc. before venturing into the lucrative business, referred to as a money-spinner in the Aquaculture world.

The main objective of the Ornamental fish Breeding and Culture Unit of Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) is to conduct research on commercially important species, their nutrition, breeding, and disease control. CIFA conducts different National Training programmes on these aspects every year. The objective of the training programme is to educate not only the private entrepreneurs but also various officials who are directly or indirectly involved in popularizing ornamental fish culture amongst

the real users. Further the course intends to provide an exposure to the participants with regard to different types of ornamental fishes of freshwater origin, their identification, distribution, sexual dimorphism, breeding, nutrition, suitable environment, various diseases, field demonstration, aquarium fabrication, aquarium accessories used in aquariums etc. CIFA is conducting training programme with participants from State Fisheries Departments, MPEDA, Central Institutes, Bank officials, Teachers of Universities, Researchers, KVK, NGO Officials, and private entrepreneurs. In future it is planned to organize a National Training Programme on ornamental fishes, their breeding and culture especially for women candidates, where we will give more emphasis for the women from Northeastern states of India.

The impact of training programme can be assessed through development of different private and government hatcheries throughout the country. We are getting positive responses from all over the country. Everyday new ornamental fish hatcheries are coming up and people are optimistic in their planning. Few rural backyard units have been developed in and around the Institute. Some of them are availing MPEDA subsidy. We are hopeful and a day will come when India will also secure a better position in trading of ornamental fishes.

Source: Saroj K Swain, Senior Scientist, Ornamental fish breeding and culture unit Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar-751002, Orissa, India, Fax : 91-463407

History

The history of the Ornamental fish breeding goes back as far as 1163. In the year 1841, M. Ward, a natural scientist, at the time introduced this ornamental fish keeping as a hobby, to the common man through the construction of an aquarium with fish.

The word "Aquarium" (derived from Latin 'aqua' (water) ) was used to describe a "pond with fish" by V. H. Ghouse who took this culture of keeping, and breeding Ornamental Fish in a new and different direction.

Advantages Disadvantages

1. Reduced water requirements2. Year round production3. Ability to use existing buildings4. High yields per gallon of water5. Improved feed conversion rates6. More Control

1. High initial investment2. Complexity3. Sub-lethal effects of ammonia and carbon dioxide4. Lack of successes needed for loans5. Inefficiencies in filtration6. Expensive filtration

DiseasesExcept for species-specific viruses, all major diseases of food fish occur in the ornamental fishindustry plus a few unique to the tropics. Because the ponds and tanks in which ornamental fish are kept tend to be small, and because of the large variety of fish in any one facility, disease management takes a considerable amount of a manager's time.

EconomicsAn ornamental fish production unit may be of three types – a breeding unit, rearing unit or combined breeding and rearing unit. The profit depends on the carrying capacity, candidate species and infrastructure. The marginal farmers who breed or rear the fish have to sell them earlier due to the lack of proper equipment and get less profit. On the other hand better-off farmers rear the fish to an optimum size and get

more profit. The average cost and return of a minimal breeding and rearing unit of live bearers is in Table 3.

BreedersBy rough estimates, there are 150 fulltime and 1,500 part-time breeders. And the tribe is growing.

How the breeders functionThe domestic trade is a mix of medium and small farmers. In Chennai, many farmers grow fish in their backyards and sell the stock to Southern India Aquarists (SIA), a major exporter. The company has a couple of retail outlets in Chennai.

What the govts are doingThe state government undertaking Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation (TNFDC) joined the field in 2000. It has two retail outlets in Chennai and plans to open more in Coimbatore and Madurai. It rears popular varieties like goldfish, angelfish, mollies and fighters in its farm near Coimbatore. For the fiscal 2001-02, TNFDC earned Rs 14.18 lakh by selling ornamental fishes and tank accessories. The company is yet to commence exports.

MPEDA is planning to set up ornamental fish parks in Kochi and Chennai, collaborating with Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments and the Singapore government’s Agri-Veterinary Authority, and a private party. “The park will be around 10 acres with each unit getting half an acre. The outlay for each park will be around Rs 15 crore,” says Cyriac.

While the land near Kochi International Airport has been identified, MPEDA is awaiting the Tamil Nadu government’s decision in this regard for the Chennai park. The parks will rear mainly guppy and angelfish. “These two fishes are the largest selling varieties in the world and the bread and butter of the trade,” Cyriac sums up.

Cost of farm

“The capital outlay for a decent farm with all equipment is Rs 10 lakh.” As far as the variety to be reared is concerned, he pitches for goldfish, which has the biggest market in India.

market

Says K Jose Cyriac, chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): “The global trade in ornamental fish is estimated to be Rs 5,000 crore. While Singapore and other South East Asian countries account for 80 per cent of the global trade, India figures in the fringes with Rs 2 crore exports.”

The main markets are the US, the UK, Belgium, Italy, Japan, China, Australia and South Africa. With its tropical climate, India can become a key player. Many Indian species like catfish, dwarf and giant gourami, and barbs are popular abroad and fetch good prices.

Apart from freshwater fish, marine ornamental fish are also found in abundance in coastal regions. Most of species found in Indian waters are acceptable as pets, with their beauty and ability to live in confinement and to consume different varieties of food, and peaceful nature. The major suppliers of marine varieties are the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Caribbean, Kenya and Mauritius.

Import and exportAbout the problems in exporting tropical fishes, Cyriac says one issue is air connectivity to the markets from the breeding point. According to the trade, the other major issue is the licensing of brood stock imports. “Liberal imports will give greater fillip to the industry,” says Venkatesan. Most of the foreign fish varieties are brought in from Sri Lanka clandestinely.

Production in the worldBesides the production on Florida farms, thereare minor operations in warm water springs in theWestern U.S. and numerous "backyard" operationsthroughout the country. In the Far East, productioncenters are found in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia,Hong Kong and Malaysia. In addition, there arehundreds of species which are only available aswild-caught specimens, either because no one hasfound a way to produce them on farms, or economics

India is waking up to yet another business opportunity — aquariums. The global trade in the ornamental fish that people like to see floating around glass tanks in homes, offices, hotels and public places is estimated at Rs 5,000 crore, of which India has a minuscule Rs 2 crore. This is despite the country’s tropical climate, varied freshwater sources, and 7,000-km coastline.

An aqua technology park on the lines of the Agro Technology Park in Singapore can be built to enable the export of more than 50 species of ornamental fish in the region. The park will have facilities such as an R&D laboratory, training and demonstration centre, eight units of ornamental fish breeding farms (to be leased out to small farmers), fish feed unit with a production capacity of more than 1 tonne per day, ornamental hydrophyte units (to produce minimum 6 lakh units of ornamental aquarium plants) and aquarium fabrication unit (to produce glass aquariums of different sizes). According to a NEDFi study, the Rs 4 crore project could be located in Guwahati, as there would be 32.48 per cent return of investment.

prohibit production; except for a handful of species,

all marine ornamental fish are caught from theworld's tropical oceans. Major centers for

Types of fishes

Ornamental fish comprise two broad categories:live-bearers and egg-layers. Live-bearers include

guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails. Egg-layersinclude almost everything else; the major groups arebarbs, tetras, gouramis, danios and cichlids.varieties, such as high-fins or lyre-tails. In addition,

most live-bearers have extreme sexual dimorphism,i.e., males and females don't look the same, andbuyers demand an almost equal male-female ratio in agiven shipment. In most pond populations, thenumber of sexually mature males will lag behind the

*OutlookOrnamental fish farming can be apromising alternative for many people.It requires little space and less initialinvestment than most other forms ofaquaculture. At the first stage ofstarting of an ornamental fish farm,very sophisticated or complicatedequipment is not necessary. Only aclear understanding of habits andbiology of the fishes basic needs isrequired so it can be practiced even inurban areas with little alteration ofbackyard or even the roof of adwelling. As less manpower is needed,the women or the elders can run smallhome units. With slightly more

sophisticated equipment such asheaters, aerators and power filters, andpractices such as selective breeding,stock manipulation and proper feeding,large units can be maintained in urbanareas also.

MarketingKolkata, the capital of West Bengal isthe main distribution centre. From herethe fish are sent to different states ofIndia by air or road. A fair amount isalso exported. Two parallel marketingprocedures exist for exotic and nativefish. In the case of exotic species, morethan 99% is consumed by the domesticmarket and a few species like gold fishand angelfish are exported. On theother hand, 90% native ornamentalspecies are collected and reared tomeet export demand. The amount ofmarine ornamental fish trade isnegligible in this area.The marketing process is generallybeing done through the followingchannels:• Firstly, the producers directly sellthe ornamental fish directly to thewholesalers, but the amount is verynegligible• Secondly, there are some big middletired men who buy large volumes offish at very low prices from theproducers, rearing the fish for 2-3months before selling at thewholesale markets again forincreased profit.• Lastly from the wholesale markets,retailers and others purchase theornamental fish.For export, the Marine Products ExportDevelopment Authority has 20registered exporters. They either havetheir own farm or collect the fish fromdifferent areas for export. The USA,Japan and Singapore are the mainmarkets.

Annexure - I

Ornamental fish Marketing potential

The ornamental industry produces fish, plants, and shellfish for stocking aquaria.Warm-water species, such as tropicals, and cool-water ornamentals, such as goldfish, are two categories grown on farms.

Angelfish Suckermouth Catfish Discus GoldfishGuppy Koi Molly Oscar

Swordtail Tetra

Angelfish

Common name: AngelfishScientific name: Pterphyllum scalare

Production potential: Moderate

Marketing potential:Potential: HighSize: 1/2 inch - 3 inches lengthMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 75-84°FSpawning: 82°FLethal: 60°F

Feed requirements:Protein: 40% crude protein, using a combination of flake, live, or frozen feedsFat: 10-15%

Spawning requirements: Once broodfish start to exhibit courtship behavior, they are transferred to an 80 liter spawning tank. Females spawn on a vertical substrate such as a slate tile. Eggs are adhesive and will hatch in two days at 82°F. Each female may lay up to 200 eggs per female every 7 to 14 days. First feeding using newly hatched brine shrimp can begin five days after hatching. After fertilization, the slate with attached eggs is placed in a 3 to 5 gallon aquarium containing enough methylene blue to give a dark blue color. An air stone should be placed underneath the slate to provide circulation. After hatching one-half of the aquarium, water should be replaced each day so by the time the fry are free-swimming, the water is only slightly blue.

Most common production systems: Recycle systems, ponds. When the fry are free-swimming, they should be transferred to an aerated 15 gallon aquarium at 300 fry per aquarium. The aquarium should have a water depth of approximately 4 inches and be filtered with a sponge filter. The shallow water depth facilitates the feeding of the fry. When the fry are approximately 0.6 inches in diameter, they should be transferred to a 30 to 55 gallon aquarium with aeration and filtration. Fry should grow to a marketable size in 6 to 8 weeks.

Suckermouth Catfish

Common name: Suckermouth catfishScientific name: Hypostomus plecostomus

Production potential: Moderate

Marketing potential:Potential: HighSize: Many discrete size ranges starting at 1-2 inchesMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 71.6-82.3°FSpawning: 75-79°FLethal: NA

Feed requirements:Protein: 32% catfish feed 1/8 inch in diameter.Fat: NA

Spawning requirements: Females are sexually mature after two years. Females burrow into the pond bank (cavity spawners) and lay around 250 eggs per spawn.

Most common production systems: Ponds and tanks

Discus

Common name: DiscusScientific name: Symphysodon discus and Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Production potential: Moderate

Marketing potential:Potential: HighSize: 1/2 inch - 3 inches lengthMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 75-84°FSpawning: 82°FLethal: 70°F or lower will initiate disease outbreaks

Feed requirements:Protein: 40% crude protein, using a combination of flake, live, or frozen feeds.Fat: 10-15%

Spawning requirements: Once broodfish start to exhibit courtship behavior, they are transferred to an 80 liter spawning tank. Females spawn on a vertical substrate such as a slate tile. Eggs are adhesive and will hatch in two days at 82°F. Each female may lay up to 200 eggs per female

every 7 to 14 days. First feeding using newly hatched brine shrimp can begin five days after hatching. After fertilization, the slate with attached eggs is placed in a 3 to 5 gallon aquarium containing enough methylene blue to give a dark blue color. An air stone should be placed underneath the slate to provide circulation. After hatching one-half of the aquarium, water should be replaced each day so by the time the fry are free-swimming, the water is only slightly blue. Discus are extremely sensitive to poor water quality and require a near neutral pH and hardness levels less than 80 mg./l.

Most common production systems: Recycle systems, ponds. When the fry are free-swimming, they should be transferred to an aerated 15 gallon aquarium at 300 fry per aquarium. The aquarium should have a water depth of approximately 4 inches and be filtered with a sponge filter. The shallow water depth facilitates the feeding of the fry. When the fry are approximately 0.6 inches in diameter, they should be transferred to a 30 to 55 gallon aquarium with aeration and filtration. Fry should grow to a marketable size in 6 to 8 weeks.

Goldfish

Common name: Goldfish. The comet variety is the most common type of goldfish, but there have been many other varieties developed, such as black moors, calico, koi, and shubunkins.Scientific name: Carassius auratus

Production potential: Easy

Marketing potential:Potential: ModerateSize: 1-6 inches for ornamental1-2 inches for feeder fishMarket: Bait, ornamental

Temperature Requirements:Growing: 70°FSpawning: Above 60°FLethal: NA

Feed requirements:Protein: 30-38%Fat: NA

Spawning requirements: Spawns repeatedly from May to June, eggs hatch in 2-8 days, 50,000 eggs/lb. body weight. The primary method used is the egg transfer method.In this method the broodstock spawn on spawning mats placed in shallow water along the shore. When mats are covered with eggs, they are moved to rearing ponds.

Most common production systems: Ponds. Small ponds, 0.25-1.0 acre, for spawning and larger ponds, 0.5-5 acres, for rearing of fry.

Guppy

Common name: GuppyScientific name: Lebistes reticulatus

Production potential: Easy

Marketing potential:Potential: HighSize: 0.25 inch - 1.5 inches lengthMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 83°FSpawning: NALethal: NA

Feed requirements:Protein: Guppies feed on 40% crude protein flake food, small zooplankton, or newly hatched brine shrimp.Fat: 8%

Spawning requirements: Live bearer that can give birth to 200 young. Females become sexually mature in about three weeks.

Most common production systems: Recycle systems and ponds

Koi

Common name: KoiScientific name: Cyprinus carpio

Production potential: Easy

Marketing potential:Potential: ModerateSize: 3 inches -12 inches lengthMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 55-80°FSpawning: Above 65°FLethal: NA

Feed requirements:Protein: 31-38%Fat: 3-8%

Spawning requirements: Koi spawn in the spring and female produce 60,000 eggs/lb. body weight. Eggs hatch in 2-7 days.

Most common production systems: Ponds

Molly

Common name: MollyScientific name: Several species of live bearers in the family Poecillidae including Platypoecilus mentalis (Black molly) and Poecilla velifera (Sailfin molly).

Production potential: Easy

Marketing potential:Potential: HighSize: 1-2 inchesMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 77-86°FSpawning: 80-84°FLethal: Below 60°F

Feed requirements:Protein: 40% flake food or 45% salmon starterFat: NA

Spawning requirements: Female mollies mature in 3-4 months and bear approximately 10 fry every two weeks. To prevent the adults from eating their offspring, cover for the fry must be provided.

Most common production systems: Ponds and aquaria.

Oscar

Common name: Oscar, velvet cichlidScientific name: Astronotus ocellatus

Production potential: Easy

Marketing potential:Potential: HighSize: 2 inches and largerMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 79-86°FSpawning: 80-82°FLethal: 65°F

Feed requirements:Protein: 32-32% pelleted fish food for adults. Broodfish and fry need supplements of live foods such as brine shrimp.Fat: NA

Spawning requirements: Females will produce 1,000-2,000 eggs, which are laid onto a rock substrate.

Most common production systems: Ponds and recycle systems

Swordtail

Common name: SwordtailScientific name: Xiphophrus hellerii

Production potential: Easy

Marketing potential:Potential: HighSize: 0.25 inch - 1.5 inches lengthMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 83°FSpawning: NALethal: NA

Feed requirements:Protein: 40-50%Fat: 10-12%

Spawning requirements: Live bearer that can give birth to 200 young. Females become sexually mature in about three weeks.

Most common production systems: Ponds and recycle systems

Tetra

Common name: Tetra and other species in the family Characidae (Characins)Scientific name: Paracheirondon innesi (Common neon tetra) and Paracheirondon axelrodi (Cardinal tetra)

Production potential: Moderate

Marketing potential:Potential: HighSize: 1 inch -2 inches lengthMarket: Ornamental

Temperature requirements:Growing: 77-82°FSpawning: 77-82°FLethal: Below 65°F

Feed requirements:Protein: 40% flake fish foodFat: NA

Spawning requirements: Female may lay up to 150-300 eggs per spawn onto a perlon mat. Adults are removed. Fry hatch after 24 hours. and fry swim up after five days.

Most common production systems: Tanks and aquaria