Ornamental Fish Production and Management

1.1.5 International market

The international market for ornamental fishes is valued at about US $ 5.9 billion. The world export of ornamental fish in 2006 was 282.6 million US $ and imports valued at 308.9 million US $. Around 200 million ornamental fishes are sold every year of which 80% are freshwater and 20% are marine. In freshwater 90% are captive bred and in marine 99% are wild caught. More than 120 countries are involved in ornamental fish trade and there are about 1800 species of ornamental fishes available in the market of which 1000 are freshwater. Guppy is the dominating species followed by Neon tetra.