The melon barb (Haludaria fasciata) is a lemon-striped freshwater fish found only in the hill streams of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Prized by the global ornamental fish trade, its wild populations are falling as deforestation, sand mining, and pollution degrade its habitat. This article sets out a science-based method for breeding the species in captivity, from conditioning broodstock on protein-rich diets to managing spawning tanks, larval feeding, and water quality. It also covers the economics: a small hatchery can be set up for a modest sum and produce thousands of juveniles per cycle, giving rural households a supplementary income. By supplying farmed fish to domestic and export markets, hatcheries ease pressure on wild stocks and support brood banks for conservation. The melon barb shows how ornamental aquaculture can link rural livelihoods with the protection of freshwater biodiversity in the Western Ghats.
26 June 2026 | Abhilash C.P., Saikrishnan K.R., Sarath Varghese, Charan Ravi and V.S. Basheer | .pdf | 3.32 MB
The Western Ghats are home to a distinctive group of small, bottom-dwelling fish: the loaches. Adapted to fast-flowing hill streams, they have elongated bodies, sensitive barbels around the mouth, and cryptic patterns that blend into rock and gravel. The region holds at least 43 loach species across 12 genera, 39 of them endemic, the result of long evolutionary isolation in mountain streams. This article describes their body forms, habitats, feeding habits, and behaviour, and profiles well-known species such as the Zebra loach (Botia striata) and the Zodiac loach (Mesonoemacheilus triangularis), both popular in the global ornamental fish trade. It also outlines the pressures these fish face, including habitat degradation, dam construction, pollution, and unregulated collection. Most Western Ghats loaches still lack legal protection, and the article reviews their conservation status and the measures needed to safeguard them.
22 January 2026 | Babita Mandal, Dani Thomas, Raymond J. Angel, Sandeep K.P., Sagar Bag, M. Kailasam, Debasis De, Kuldeep K. Lal | 454 Downloads | .pdf | 5.56 MB
Small-scale farmers in the Indian Sundarbans are transforming their livelihoods through brackishwater ornamental fish farming. The region's estuaries and mangrove forests provide natural habitat for commercially valuable species like spotted scat, green puffer, pearlspot, and orange chromide. With training from ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture's Kakdwip Research Centre, local entrepreneurs have developed successful hatchery and grow-out operations.
Three farmers from Kakdwip Block demonstrate the sector's potential. Mr Tapan Maity produces 1,000-3,000 fingerlings monthly from his integrated facility. Mr Mahendra Dului operates a 32-tank hatchery using cost-effective farm-made feeds. Mr Aurobindo Haldar cleared his debts within three years of starting pearlspot production. These farmers combine scientific broodstock management with local knowledge to rear juveniles for urban pet markets in Kolkata and Howrah. The expanding domestic and export demand for brackishwater ornamental species offers sustainable income opportunities for coastal communities facing challenges from climate vulnerability and limited livelihood options.
In Purba Medinipur, India's leading fisheries district, two farmers are exploring new directions in aquaculture. Sri Buddhadeb Maity has established commercial farming of the prized murrel (Channa striatus), achieving growth rates of 250-300g within two months. His neighbour, Sri Uttam Manna, has taken an unconventional approach: cultivating freshwater aquarium fish in brackishwater ponds near the Bay of Bengal.
Manna's method challenges established practice. He has observed fewer disease problems than those typically encountered in freshwater aquarium fish operations, potentially due to the salt content in his ponds helping to control pathogens. Both farmers have developed profitable enterprises whilst sharing their methods with neighbouring producers, encouraging diversification across the region.
This report summarises the proceedings of the 23rd meeting of the Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health, held 14-15 November 2024 by video conference. The role of the group is to review trends in disease and emerging threats in the region, identify developments in global disease issues and standards, to evaluate the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Reporting Program and to provide guidance on regional strategies to improve aquatic animal health management.
The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) will be held from 12-15 February 2025 in New Delhi, India. Submission of abstracts has been extended until 5 November, and early bird registration closes on 10 November, so get in quick!
The forum is a scientific meeting organised by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) once every three years to understand the global trends and address issues and challenges faced by the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The main purpose of this Forum is to provide an international platform for eminent scientists, young researchers, and other stakeholders across the globe to share their research experiences and innovative ideas. By facilitating the exchange of diverse range of knowledge and expertise, the Forum with the Theme ‘Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific’ aims to address key issues towards developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
15 July 2024 | R.N. Mandal, S. Adhikari, Vimezo Kere, S.K. Swain, P.P. Chakrabarti, G.S. Saha, B.N. Paul, C.K. Misra, Ezung Tsutsamo, A. Hussan, A. Das, and P.K. Sahoo | 1026 Downloads | .pdf | 9.13 MB
Nagaland is one of the eight sister states in northeast India. It is a mountainous region, home to diverse indigenous tribes with distinct cultures. With a population of 2.28 million, the total potential area for aquaculture is estimated to be around 30,000 hectares, but around 90% of this area remains untapped. The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) has made significant efforts to establish aquaculture as a viable livelihood option for the people of Nagaland through programmes on i) paddy and amur carp farming, and ii) promotion of ornamental fish farming among school children. This article describes efforts to implement a project on amur carp farming as a diversified aquaculture practice under the Northeast Program. Further efforts to initiate aquarium-based farming of ornamental fish species through a capacity building programme and distribution of aquariums and ornamental fish species to high schools are also described.
Scientific aquaculture to promote better livelihoods for Scheduled Caste farmers.
Rainbow trout in Jammu and Kashmir: Present status and strategies for expansion.
Community participation in marine ornamental aquaculture: An integral approach on livelihood empowerment of islander women and conservation of reef ecosystems at the Lakshadweep Islands, India.
Training programmes organised by West Bengal Fisheries Department in South 24 Parganas in the beginning of 2024.
Exploring the possibility of captive production of a near threatened catfish, Rita chrysea for Indian aquaculture.
25 June 2024 | Deepa Dhas, D.S., T.T. Ajith Kumar and Uttam Kumar Sarkar | 1104 Downloads
Promoting and encouraging community participation in marine ornamental aquaculture presents an alternative approach to enhancing the economic status of marginalised individuals, particularly women, in the Lakshadweep islands. Additionally, it aids in curbing the wild capture of marine ornamental organisms, thereby relieving pressure on natural resources. The article examines the strategy of community-based marine ornamental aquaculture and its significance in bolstering the economy of islanders, particularly women, in the Lakshadweep Sea. It seeks to investigate effective approaches to promote the sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem in the region. High-value marine ornamental organisms, such as fishes and shrimps, are cultivated in community aquaculture units using simplified technology. These organisms are supplied to aquarists and hobbyists, thus supplementing the income of local women islanders.
The article highlights the successful commercial-scale breeding, propagation, rearing, and sale of aquarium fish species in the Howrah and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal, India. It focuses on the innovative practices of two experienced aquarium fish farmers, Sri Bikash Sau and Sri Swapan Parua, who have introduced a novel approach to aquarium fish culture in open earthen and common village ponds. The success stories of Sri Bikash Sau and Sri Swapan Parua serve as inspirations for small and medium-scale farmers and aqua-entrepreneurs. Their innovative approach to open pond production for aquarium fishes demonstrates the increasing potential and expansion of the aquarium fish business in the region.
31 October 2023 | R.N. Mandal, Arnab Ghosh, A. Hussan, D.N. Chattopadhyay, A. Das, B.N. Paul, S. Adhikari, F. Hoque, P.P. Chakrabarti, and P.K. Sahoo | 1473 Downloads | .pdf | 3.89 MB
Naihati fish seed market of West Bengal was established in 1976 and is the largest seed market in India. With the advent of induced breeding technology and hatcheries, fish seed is now available almost year-round, catering to the need of Indian farmers. Situated in North 24 Parganas, Naihati wholesale fish seed market is a well-known establishment that provides multifaceted services to stakeholders including fish seed growers, retailers, sellers, and mediators. This article describes the state of the market as aspects of its evolution over time.
The Late Sri Kripan Sarkar was an enterprising ornamental fish breeder-cum-farmer par excellence, exporter and supplier of the same from northern part of West Bengal. As proprietor of Rainbow Ornamental Fish Farm, at Bakshipara Village in Jalpaiguri District, he was an expert and authority in scientific breeding, larval rearing, propagation, research and experimentation on economically important freshwater ornamental fishes. There was a time when Sri Sarkar was the only commercial ornamental fish breeder in north Bengal. This article documents his experiences and career as an influential pioneer in the ornamental fish culture trade.
Known as ‘glow widow tetra’, ‘glow skirt tetra’, ‘colour widow tetra’ in the ornamental fish industry, a genetically modified variety of the black widow tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi is the most favoured by aquarium fish hobbyists in West Bengal. Stunning and sparkling red, blue, yellow, green, pink, orange, and purple bodied colour variations of this tetra have been developed through gene transfer or transgenic technology. The fish glow when kept under blue LED lights, hence the name ‘glowfish’. Maintenance of these brightly coloured and reasonably priced fish in small and medium-sized aquariums at home, the office, hotels, and other settings has become popular in West Bengal, India.
