4 - Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture

National Workshop-cum-Training on Bldnformati~ and Information Management in Aquaculture
melon barb (P.fasciatus fasciatus), aruli barb (P, arulius). etc. Among the exotic
barbs, tiger barb (P. tetrazona) and its aquarium developed strains like green8
tiger barb and red tiger barbs are fascinating in modern days. The major species
of the group danios include zebra danio (Brachidanio rerio), pearl danio (8.
albalineatus), giant danio (Danio aequipinnatus), turquoise danio (0, devario),
and malabar danio (0. malabaricus). Zebra danio is one of the typical examples
of ornamental fish species of Indian origin, which can be bred and reared easily.
Among rasboras, the slender rasbora (Rasbora daniconius), glowlight rasbora (R.
pauciperforata), harlequin rasbora (R. heteromorpha) and scissors tail (R.
trilineata) are important ones. The gold fish, Carassius auratus, is the most
commonly available fish, preferred by the hobbyists because of its attractive
colouration ranging from pure gold to red, orange, black and albino. Some of the
common varieties of gold fish available are comet, lion head, oranda (a
modification of lion head), fringe tail, veil tail, fantail, shubunkin, telescopic eye,
etc. These fishes grow up to 20 cm in length, but start breeding when they are
only 6 cm long. Many aquarium breeds strains of ornamental koi, Cyprinus carpio
(var. koi) easily by available hormone injections. Its origin is from East Asia but
strains like orenji ogon, kin matsuba, kohaku, and shiro-bekoo are being cultured
worldwide.
The tetras are small fishes of 3-8 cm long; majority of which has originated from
South America. The most common species of the group are black widow tetra
(Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon sarpae), lemon tetra
(H. pulchripinnis), flame tetra (H. flammeus), neon tetra (Paracheriodon innesi),
cardinal tetra (P, axelrodi), black neon tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
and pretty tetra (Hemigrammus pulcher). The species, Betta splendens
commonly called as Siamese fighting fish occurs in varied colours like green, red,
blue, albino and sometimes with a combination of two or three shades. The
attractive colour and hardiness of the species are the characters of the species
for its wide adoption by the hobbyists. The males are brightly coloured with
beautifully spread-over fins. They show aggressive behaviour, only when other
males are present. Angel fish, Pterophyllum altum and P. scalare are important
candidate species widely preferred for aquaria, with different developed varieties
such as black, veil tail, gold and black marble, platinum, gold pearl, pink ghost
and albino. The filamentous lower fins and their compressed body shape with
their elegant movements are pleasant to look at. Among gouramies, three spot
gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus), pearl gourami, (J. leen), moon light
gourami (T. microlepis), snakeskin gourami (T. pectorails), dwarf gourami (Colisa
lalia), honey gourami (C. sota), striped gourami (C. fasciata), noble gourami
(Ctenops nobilis) and kissing gourami (Holostoma temmincki) are the important
species. The bettas and gouramies are most popular among nest-builders,
characterized by possession of accessory respiratory organs, thus making the
species hardier. Among catfishes the exotic variety of sucker mouth catfish
(Hypostomus multiradiatus) is very popular, being originated from South and
Central America it is available in every aquarist.
2. Salient featutes of production of ornamental fish
The success of any entrepreneurs depends upon the project planning, site
selection and successful layout, design of the breeding or rearing unit. Once the
unit is established in any site and latter on found uneconomical due to
unavailability of certain important facilities like water, power etc. can not be