ornamental fishes

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. In Assam there are several native species suitable for the ornamental fish
trade. These include Botia dario, Channa stewartii, Channa barca, Gagata cenia, Hara hara, Garra species, Mystus sp. Somileptes gongata, Nemacheilus botia, Macrognathus aculeatus, Mastacembelus pancalus, Rasbora species, Danio species and many others. In Assam there is no organized trade at present. Only a very few people are supplying these fishes to the exporters in places such as Kolkata and Chennai. Since, they are not directly involved in exporting they are always deprived of the actual price prevailing in the global market. Those who are supplying ornamental fishes endemic to this region normally collect the fish from the wild through their contact fishermen. Therefore, there is always an uncertainty in the availability of a particular species of ornamental fish. A preliminary survey on the export of ornamental fish reveals that about 20 different varieties of ornamental fish of this region are exported annually. Considering their potential, a few fish species have been recently shortlisted for research on captive breeding under a National Agriculture Technology project in the Assam Agricultural University at College of Fisheries, Raha. The project has so far been successful in captive breeding of 5-6 local species of ornamental fishes of Assam. However, more research activities are required in this direction to conserve our natural resources and fish bio-diversity. It is expected that in near future, the dependency on nature for ornamental fish collection will decline.

Captive Breeding of Peacock Eel,
Macrognathus aculeatus
S.K.Das and N. Kalita
Assam Agricultural University, College of Fisheries, Raha, Nagaon,Assam,India 782 103

Status of inland fisheries

STATUS OF INLAND CAPTURE FISHERIES
The historical landings trend by weight, value and major species from 1990 to 2002 are
shown in Table 3 and 4. According to Inger & Chin(2002), Sabah has 168 species of
freshwater fish species. The major freshwater fish species of commercial value caught and
sold in the markets are giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), ikan patin
(Pangasius spp.), lampam sungai (Puntius spp.), ikan tapah (Wallago maculatus), ikan
baung (Mystus sp.), ikan lais (Kryptopterus sp.,) ikan kokok (Leiocassis spp.,) marble gobby
( Oxyeleotris marmorata), Snakehead (Ophicephalus spp. ), tilapia ( Tilapia spp. ), catfish
(Clarias spp. ) and ikan pelian (Tor duoronensis )

However, it is sad to say that the landing from the inland capture fishery are fast declining
mainly due to habitat destruction from logging activities, pollutions from extensive
agricultural plantations, overfishing and illegal fishing (poison and electrical fishing).

source : Jabatan Perikanan Sabah

On Goldfish Pond--In Your Apartment!

by Frank M. Greco, Senior Aquarist, Coney Island Aquarium

For many aquarium hobbyists, the addition of a garden or koi pond may seem a natural extension of their hobby. Even those who do not own an aquarium may find themselves drawn to the soothing sound of water as it trickles down a waterfall or the pitter-patter of droplets as they fall from a fountain. With a little imagination and a few well-placed products, even apartment dwellers can enjoy a pond of their own on a hot summer night.

There are many ways he apartment dweller can install a pond in their home. There are small, freestanding ponds, such as the two by Python Products (shown in the accompanying photo). These can be placed out on the terrace or even inside, depending on the amount of room you have, that is-but check with your building before installing any water feature! I've even seen some people use whiskey barrels as an indoor pond, and several companies make rubber liners to fit the average sized barrel.

Potted Ponds
No room in your walk-up for fish in a barrel, so to speak? Even small porcelain or ceramic flowerpots can be used to build an apartment pond all your own. While these containers will not hold fish, they can be planted with an assortment of aquatic plants, including lilies (the Blue Daubin lily is perhaps the best lily for this purpose, as it will grow in moderate light.Other lilies require more light then can usually be provided indoors unless one hangs a metal halide light over the pond).

If you decide to use a fountain in an indoor pond, be aware that there will be splashing, and the surrounding floor and walls will most likely become wet over time. Best to use a fountain that does not shoot water much above the water level.

Once your pond, either indoors or outdoors--is in place, it's time to think about filtration. Here again, your pond professional will be able to help you decide upon the best filtration for your particular pond. Whichever filter you choose, make sure that it is serviced on a regular basis so the water remains clear.

Adding Fish
Finally, we come to the fish. While some pond owners are satisfied with just a planted pond (the author among them), most pond hobbyists add fish. Usually koi (Japanese carp) are the fish of choice. These carp are a far cry from the olive drab ones we see in local lakes and ponds. Rather, these are bred specifically for their colors and patterns. Some folks use plain goldfish (comets), or even fancy goldfish (orandas) as pond inhabitants.

Your pond professional will help you decide which fish is right for you. Generally, koi require larger ponds than do goldfish, so keep that in mind when deciding how big your pond will be. If you decide to keep both fish and plants in the same pond, you will need to protect the vegetation from nibbling goldfish and koi.

Lilies need to be potted, and not left floating. The mesh is placed around the whole pot, and rises to just below the water level. Usually the plastic mesh around the pots is sufficient to keep the fish at bay.

A properly set up pond can provide you with hours of enjoyment and relaxation. The sound of water trickling over rocks, or down a waterfall, the splashing of the fish as they break the surface of the water looking for food, and the general beauty of a well-planted pond allow us to bring a little bit of the natural world into our lives, no matter where we may live.