6 Oranamental Fish and Aquatic Plant Thailand Directory 2011-2012

Introduction

There has been an enormous growth of business related to ornamental

fi sh and aquatic plants industry for export in Thailand during the recent years.

This has been possible by efforts aimed at improving breeding stock by selecting for desirable traits. Since this business has proved to be profi table, the number of ornamental fi sh farm has increased magnitude of business is

experimentation leading to development of new breeding techniques both for

ornamental fi sh as well as for aquatic plants. Several factors favor this business in Thailand including suitable climate, land and water resources and relatively low labor cost.

Aquatic Plants and Ornamental Fish Research Institute

(APOFRI)Inland Fisheries Research Development BureauDepartment of Fisheries, Thailand

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Oranamental Fish and Aquatic Plant Thailand Directory 2011-2012 7

Potential of Ornamental Fish and Aquatic Plants Industry in Thailand

Years of scientifi c research in fi sh breeding and culture techniques in Thailand has led to the success of mass breeding of many native ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants species as well as some exotic species. More famous among the exotic species are discus, oscar and angle fi sh, gold fi sh, red tail shark, guppy etc. More than 300 freshwater fi sh species are known today of which 200 species are native to Thailand.

Business

Thailand is one of major exporters of ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants in the world. Export are made to over 50 countries worldwide with a total export value in excess of 30 million U.S. dollars per year. The main markets of Thai ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants are Germany, U.K., Netherlands, France, Italy, USA, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

Farming

Only freshwater species are bred for commercial purpose. Some marine species have been bred successfully in government

hatchery and some private fi sh farms. Size of fi sh farm is a usually small but depends on the species.

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8 Oranamental Fish and Aquatic Plant Thailand Directory 2011-2012

Most common species are betta, goldfi sh, pangasius, platy, swordtail, guppy, molly, tetra and discus. Most ornamental fi sh farm are found in Bangkok and surrounding province, such as Ratchaburi, Nonthaburi, Chachoengsoa, Nakhonpathom and Suphanburi Province. The biggest producer is Ratchaburi which is famous from breeding river fi sh, guppy and gold fi sh. Bangkok is the discus fi sh center while Nakhonpathom has the biggest farm for betta. There are 11 native species of clown fi sh and any species were bred in government and private hatchery for export to many countries.

8 Oranamental Fish and Aquatic Plant Thailand Directory 2011-2012

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Oranamental Fish and Aquatic Plant Thailand Directory 2011-2012 9

Varieties of the Products

More than 30 species of fi sh that are native to local rivers have been in the aquarium. These species pertains to groups namely Cyprinidae, Siliridae, Bilontidae, and Osphornamidae. Many kinds of introduced fi sh can be bred successfully in Thailand such as discus, cichlids, angel, gold fi sh, oscar, livebearers and characins. The main groups of fi sh sold to foreign markets are betta, gold fi sh, barb, red tailed shark, catfi sh, rasbora, loach, danio, swordtail, angle fi sh, guppy, platy, molly, tetra, gourami, koi, discus and other cichlids. Many breeders tend to specialize in breeding exquisite varieties and species such as Siamese fi sh, long-fi n pangasius and dragon fi sh.

Distribution and Marketing Systems

The distribution and marketing channel for

the ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants in Thailand

is relatively well developed. Primary breeders, wholesalers, retailers, local hobbyists and exporter are the key players of this business. Several business

arrangements between these players are in use. The

breeders usually sell their fi sh to the wholesales that may also sell their fi sh directly to export. Recently contract farming is becoming mire popular. In some

cases, exporters have also turned to farming to guarantee a stable supply for themselves.

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10 Oranamental Fish and Aquatic Plant Thailand Directory 2011-2012

Government Support to the Business

Aquatic plants and Ornamental Fish Research Institute, Inland Fisheries Research Development Bureau, Department of Fisheries is the agency with the responsibility to research and develop the aquaculture technology of the ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants in academic and commercial terms. The Institute also provides the knowledge of stock breeding including the farm management with aquaculture standards to the farmers in order to raise the high standard of Thailand’s ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants to the world markets. In this regard, the Institute organizes the plenty of activities to promote the new strains of ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants. The Institute organizes the competition of ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants, the exhibition of aquarium decoration,the exhibition of the ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants as well as the seminar

to expand this business to the international

markets. Consequently, our private sectors have the adequate potential to export the unique and desirable ornamental fi sh and aquatic plants to

the world.Aquatic Plants and Ornamental Fish Research Institute Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900 Thailand

Tel.: +662-558-0146, +662-558-0169

Fax : +662-558-0185, +662-558-0169E-mail: aquaorna@dof.in.th

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