Ornamental fish farming in india
Ornamental fish farming is the culture of attractive, colourful fishes of various characteristics, which are reared in a confined aquatic system. Ornamental fishes are also known as living jewels. There are more than 30,000 fish species reported around the world, of which about 800 belong to ornamental fishes. Ornamental fish farming has many benefits, such as:
- It gives pleasure to young and old people
- It enables relaxation of the mind and thereby contributes to a healthy living
- It creates a self-employment opportunity
- It generates income and foreign exchange
- It conserves the biodiversity of native fish species
India has great potentials in ornamental fish production due to the presence of rich biodiversity of species, favourable climatic conditions and availability of cheap labour. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal mainly practice ornamental fish farming in India. The ornamental species are categorized into indigenous and exotic. India exported 54 tons of ornamental fishes worth Rs 13.08 crores in 2020-21.
Step by Step Process
The process of ornamental fish farming involves the following steps:
- Selection of suitable site and water source
- Construction of tanks or ponds
- Procurement of fish seeds or broodstock
- Feeding and management of fish
- Disease prevention and control
- Harvesting and marketing of fish
Selection of suitable site and water source
The site for ornamental fish farming should be well connected by road and have a regular supply of electricity. The water source should be free from pollution and have a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5, hardness of 50 to 200 ppm, dissolved oxygen of more than 5 ppm and ammonia of less than 0.02 ppm.
Construction of tanks or ponds
The tanks or ponds for ornamental fish farming can be made of cement, brick, plastic or earthen materials. The size and shape of the tanks or ponds depend on the type and number of fish to be cultured. Generally, rectangular tanks or ponds are preferred for easy management. The depth of the tanks or ponds should be between 0.5 to 1.5 m.
Procurement of fish seeds or broodstock
The fish seeds or broodstock can be obtained from hatcheries, nurseries, breeders or collectors. The quality and health of the fish seeds or broodstock should be checked before stocking them in the tanks or ponds. The stocking density depends on the species, size and growth rate of the fish. Generally, live bearers can be stocked at a rate of 50 to 100 per square meter, while egg layers can be stocked at a rate of 10 to 20 per square meter.
Feeding and management of fish
The feeding and management of ornamental fish vary according to the species, age and stage of development. Generally, ornamental fish require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals. The feed can be natural (such as live food, algae, plants) or artificial (such as pellets, flakes, tablets). The feed should be given at a rate of 3 to 5 percent of the body weight per day in two or three installments. The water quality should be monitored regularly and maintained at optimum levels by changing 10 to 20 percent of water every week. The tanks or ponds should be cleaned periodically to remove waste materials and debris.
Disease prevention and control
Ornamental fish are susceptible to various diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses. Some common diseases are fin rot, tail rot, dropsy, white spot, velvet disease, gill flukes etc1. To prevent and control these diseases, the following measures should be taken:
- Quarantine new arrivals for at least two weeks before introducing them to the main tanks or ponds
- Disinfect the tanks or ponds with potassium permanganate (10 ppm) or formalin (25 ppm) before stocking new fish
- Maintain good water quality and hygiene
- Avoid overfeeding and overcrowding
- Use salt (2 to 3 g/l) as a general tonic and stress reliever
- Treat infected fish with appropriate drugs such as antibiotics (tetracycline), antifungals (malachite green), antiparasitics (copper sulphate) etc
Harvesting and marketing of fish
Ornamental fish can be harvested when they reach the marketable size and colour. The harvesting should be done carefully to avoid stress and injury to the fish. The fish should be graded according to their size, shape and colour. The fish should be packed in polythene bags with oxygenated water and transported in insulated boxes or containers. The fish should be marketed as soon as possible to avoid mortality and deterioration of quality. The price of ornamental fish depends on the demand, supply, variety and quality of the fish.
Varieties of Fish that can be Grown
There are many varieties of ornamental fish that can be grown in India, both indigenous and exotic. Some of the popular ones are:
| Name | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Guppy | Live bearer | Small, colourful fish with a variety of tail shapes and patterns. Easy to breed and maintain. |
| Platy | Live bearer | Medium-sized, colourful fish with a round body and a fan-shaped tail. Easy to breed and maintain. |
| Molly | Live bearer | Medium-sized, colourful fish with a slender body and a pointed tail. Easy to breed and maintain. |
| Swordtail | Live bearer | Medium-sized, colourful fish with a sword-like extension on the lower part of the tail. Easy to breed and maintain. |
| Angel | Egg layer | Large, elegant fish with a disc-shaped body and long fins. Difficult to breed but easy to maintain. |
| Barb | Egg layer | Small to medium-sized, active fish with a torpedo-shaped body and a forked tail. Easy to breed and maintain. |
| Goldfish | Egg layer | Medium to large-sized, attractive fish with a round body and a variety of tail shapes and colours. Difficult to breed but easy to maintain. |
| Tetra | Egg layer | Small, colourful fish with a streamlined body and a forked tail. Easy to breed and maintain. |
| Catfish | Egg layer | Small to medium-sized, bottom-dwelling fish with whisker-like barbels around the mouth. Easy to breed and maintain. |
Profitability for Small Farmers and Home Business Owners
Ornamental fish farming can be a profitable venture for small farmers and home business owners in India, as there is a growing demand for ornamental fish both in the domestic and international markets. The profitability depends on various factors such as:
- Initial investment
- Operating cost
- Production capacity
- Market price
- Marketing strategy
According to a study by WBAFS, the average initial investment for setting up an ornamental fish farm in West Bengal is Rs 1,23,000 (£1,675) per unit (consisting of 10 tanks of 10 square meters each), which includes the cost of land, construction, equipment, seed, feed etc. The average operating cost is Rs 67,000 (£912) per year per unit, which includes the cost of feed, electricity, labour, medicine etc. The average production capacity is 1 lakh (100,000) fishes per year per unit, which can fetch an average market price of Rs 1 per fish in the domestic market and Rs 5 per fish in the export market. The average net profit is Rs 33,000 (£449) per year per unit in the domestic market and Rs 4,33,000 (£5,892) per year per unit in the export market. The study also suggests some marketing strategies such as:
- Forming SHGs or cooperatives to increase bargaining power and reduce middlemen
- Participating in trade fairs and exhibitions to showcase products and establish contacts
- Creating online platforms or websites to promote products and reach wider customers
- Adopting quality standards and certification to ensure customer satisfaction and trust
