Course Name: Ornamental Fish Production and Management

FSAQ(1+1) : FSAQ 2103(1-1-0)

Course Objectives

Ornamental fish production is an important component of the aquaculture industry. The ornamental fish trade is a foreign exchange earner, besides being a source of employment. It has a significant role in the economy of developed and developing countries. The entire ornamental fish industry including accessories and feed are estimated to be worth of more than 14 billion US $ (Thomas, 2008).

Ornamental fish keeping has been serving as a viable recreation, especially for hobbyists from time immemorial. The ancient Romans were the first to keep ornamental fishes as pets at homes. Maintenance of ornamental fish became popular in England and Scotland even in the 18^th century. The art of rearing the beautiful fishes by colour, design and shape spread rapidly throughout the world. With the growing interest on the fanciful varieties of brightly coloured organisms, ornamental fish culture developed as a tremendous business. In recent years, this hobby has spread all over the world. As a result, many countries in Asia and Europe started capturing and culturing the colourful, fanciful and the fascinating breeds of the fishes. More and more fishes from the marine, brackish and freshwater environments have been domesticated and popularized for business purposes.

Learning Outcomes

Ornamental fishes are the world’s most popular pets and fish keeping happens to be a popular hobby next only to photography. The fantastic shapes and brilliant colours of ornamental fishes won the heart of millions of people; hence, they can be aptly called as “Living Jewels”. With more than 120 countries involved in the ornamental fish trade and there are about 1,800 species of ornamental fish in the market of which over 1000 varieties are from freshwater origin, 90 per cent of the fresh water fishes are farmed while 10 per cent are collected from wild.

The E- course on Ornamental Fish Production and Management deals with the culture and breeding of freshwater ornamental fishes. A wide range of aspects such as, construction of aquarium tanks, maintenance of aquarium, important ornamental fishes their breeding, ornamental aquatic plants, preparation of feed and feeding management, water quality management and disease management have been described in detail.

Course Syllabus

Ornamental Fish Production and Management

Theory

World trade of ornamental fish and export potential. Different varieties of exotic and indigenous fishes. Principles of a balanced aquarium. Fabrication, setting up and maintenance of freshwater and marine aquarium. Water quality management. Water filteration system-biological, mechanical and chemical. Types of filters. Aquarium plants and their propagation methods. Lighting and aeration. Aquarium accessories and decorative. Aquarium fish feeds. Dry, wet and live feeds. Breeding and rearing of ornamental fishes. Broodstock management. Application of genetics and biotechnology for producing quality strains. Management practices of ornamental fish farms. Common diseases and their control. Conditioning, packing, transport and quarantine methods. Trade regulations and wild life act in relation to ornamental fishes.

Practicals

Identification of common ornamental fishes and plants. Fabrication of all-glass aquarium. Setting up and maintenance of Aquarium accessories and equipment. Conditioning and packing of ornamental fishes. Preparation of feed. Setting up of breeding tank for live bearers, barbs, goldfish, tetras, chiclids, gouramis, fighters and catfishes. Identification of ornamental fish diseases and prophylactic measures.

References