4 - Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture

Natlonal Workshopcum-Tralnlng on Bloinformatlcs and Information Management In Aquaculture
rectified in latter stage. Therefore, proper planning is required before entering in
to such flourishing farming practice. At present the variety of commercial
enterprises producing ornamental fishes is as wide as the species produced. The
degree of intensification and species farmed depends on following aspects.
Training on the subject is a prerequisite before starting an ornamental fish
unit.
The minimum land requirement is 500-1000 square feet area for a small scale
farming practice, whereas 1 acre and more for large scale farming in which
few earthen ponds are to be excavated for some species like koi carps,
gourami, barbs etc.
Site selection is one of the main criteria where the farmer should select a cool
environment for the culture and breeding.
Breeding and rearing unit should be made near a constant supply of water
and electricity.
In cold climates this farming is too expensive to make the water warm to
produce tropical fish. Where as the tropical climates favour the production
rate because of year round breeding, rearing and better growth. So the
entrepreneur has to select the fish accordingly.
The selection of candidate species depends on the water quality of that area.
Because there are species prefers either soft water or hard water for breeding.
There are species they can withstand a wide range of water condition tolerating
all kinds of water. For example all the live bearers prefer hard water- alkaline.
Egg layers like Goldfish, Gourami, Danio, Catfish, Rosy barb, Fighter etc. can
tolerate wide range of water condition. Species like Angel, Discus, Tetras, Oscar,
Loach etc. prefers soft -acidic water. Therefore, water quality can be checked in
any nearby water chemistry laboratory.
In certain areas, some fishes are difficult to breed, where there is a severe
problem of water quality in any extreme conditions of physico- chemical
conditions. Therefore, we should avoid such areas for establishing ornamental
fish farms.
Biofiltration unit is a prerequisite for smooth functioning of an ornamental fish
culture and breeding unit.
The brood stock selected for breeding should be of superior quality, so that
good quality fish seed could be produced. If brood stocks are not available in
that area, one can think of rearing a desired quantity of smaller fish and
further they can be developed in to brood stock.
Brood stocks can be allowed to breed for not more than two years. Fresh
stocks from different source may be added in every two years to the selected
parent stocks to improve the breeding efficiency and produce healthy
offsprings.
The fish breeder should concentrate preferably on one species so that it helps
the breeder to develop expertise on the particular species and a good variety
of fishes can be produced as per the market demand.
Constant availability of agro-based byproducts will facilitate preparation of
pelleted diet for the fish. For preparing a pelleted diet a mini pelletiser can be
installed.