Aquarium fish industry in Thailand

Wangcharoenporn, V.; Lawonyawut, K.

Aquarium fish industry in Thailand

1998

Wangcharoenporn, V. | Lawonyawut, K.

Aquarium fish and plant keeping in Thailand is now more popular hobby especially in Bangkok and some big provinces. Thailand has good climate, land, water resources and man power that suit to do the aquarium business both local and export. Thai government by the Department of Fisheries supported this business by setting up the project of research in aquarium fish and aquatic plant and established the aquarium fish export center. The aims are promotion and increasing the value of aquarium fish and plant export. Through years the scientific research, fish breeding and culture techniques have been developed and well established in Thailand leading to the success of mass breeding of many native ornamental fish and plant species as well as some exotic species like Discus fish, Oscar fish, Anubius nana etc. Many of Thai breeders specialize in specific kinds of fish such as betta, discus fish, red tail shark, guppy. The provinces which fish farms situated are Bangkok and nearby provinces for example Rachaburi, Nakornpatom and Chachengsao which specialize in river fish, betta and molly respectively. The varieties of fresh water fish in the Thai market is more than 300 species and native fish is about 200 spcies. Thai department of fisheries research in fields of aquaculture and has been successful in breeding many species of fish such as Kuhli loach (Pangio kuhli), Stream barilius (Barlilius pulchellus) and Armed spiny eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia). Problems for Thai breeders and exporters mostly are fish diseases, fish genetic, communication with foreigner and some government regulations. All the problems are now under attempt to help and promoting by the Department of Fisheries.

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