Ornamental Fish Species

Ornamental fishes of India are contributing about 1% of the global ornamental fish trade. About 85% native fish species from northeast India are collected and reared to meet export demand. As per latest reports, 187 fish species of Assam is considered to have ornamental value. The present trade is highly unorganised and most of these species are harvested from wild and sent to international markets through a few registered exporters in the country. The major groups having a large number of ornamental fishes belonged to the Order Cypriniformes, followed by Siluriformes and Perciformes. (Panda et. al. 2019 (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340333588)). In India the north-eastern states are taking a leading role in the native ornamental fish market. According to ICAR, the north-eastern region of India has tremendous potential for ornamental fish production. The region can claim patenting right over the species and simultaneously should go for conservation effort. It can also contribute the lion’s share of International ornamental fish trade of the world.