Basic HTML Version
FireFlyz | 43
ADVERTORIAL
Malaysia’s Ornamental Fish Industry:
AMulti-Million Industry
T
he
ornamental fish industry has
come a long way to evolve into
a very promising, multi-million
revenue generating industry, a
far cryfromtheoldendayswhen
mostenthusiastswereinitforthe
pure sakeof keeping it as a simplehobby.
A change can be seen regarding the hobby
of keeping ornamental fish in Malaysia as the
standards of living here improve. Indeed, many
are taking part in the endeavour of fish keeping,
whether as a consumer or a producer.
The aquarium manufacturing industry is
responsible for producing various types of
aquariums and their accompanying aesthetic
and practical features, such as lighting systems
that enable the growth of various types of
unique and interesting aquatic foliage, as well as
technologically-advanced water filtration sys-
temsthatcanproducecrystalclearwaterwithout
the need for changing tank water, proffering
convenience and cost savings for enthusiasts.
Aside from that, there are a variety of fish
feeds that do not pollute the tank’s water and
are specially formulated to increase fish growth
andhealth. Biotechnologyhaspavedthewayfor
betterfishfood(forexample:probioticsfishfeeds)
and the use of beneficial bacteria in tank water
filtration systems to maintain the aquarium’s
environment in order to promote a healthier
aquatic environment.
Malaysia is known as a major ornamental
fish farming in Malaysia is actually capable of
yielding up to 95%of the total production of or-
namentalfish,whicharemainlyexportedtoglobal
markets such as the USA, Japan and European
Union countries such as France, Germany and
theUnitedKingdom.
As of today, Malaysia is the second largest
producerofArowanas(familyOsteoglossidae) in
Asia after Indonesia. As the home of theworld’s
best Arowana species, the Malaysian Golden
Arowana,Malaysiaisalsowell-knownforbreeding
and exporting various species of Arowanas to
meet the demands of a global market. A large
variety of Arowanas are bred in the states of
Johor,Perak,Malacca,NegeriSembilan,Sabahand
Sarawak. Varieties such as the Blue Based Gold,
Cross Backed Gold, High Backed Gold, Golden
Head, Chilli Red, Blood Red, and others are all
heavilyexported to theglobal market.
Since1991, theaverageannual growthrateof
this industry isestimatedtobe30%.Other types
of ornamental fish produced in Malaysia include
speciesbelongingtotheCichlidaegroups(discus
andangelfish);LiveBearers(guppy, swordtail and
molly);Cyprinids(tigerbarb, cherrybarbandrosy
barb); andCharacids (various types of tetras).
fish producing location to theworld because the
climate is conducive to breeding and husbandry.
Also lower cost of labour ensures favourable
returns for investors. At present, Asiancountries
represent59%oftheworld’smarket.Ornamental
As of today,
Malaysia is the
second largest
producer of
Arowanas
in Asia after
Indonesia.
Malaysia is actually capable of yielding up to 95% of
the total production of ornamental fish, which are
mainly exported to global markets such as the USA,
Japan and European Union countries.