Marine ornamental fish culture status, constraints and potential

Abstract

Culture technologies on marine ornamentals available at present are mainly confined to anemone fishes, damsel fishes (Pomacentridae), gobies (Gobiidae), cardinal fish (Apogonidae), sea horses (Sygnathidae), angelfishes (Pomacanthidae) and dotty backs (pseudochromidae). The major constraints that limit the expansion of marine ornamental fish aquaculture are (i) control of patterns of sex reversal, broodstock development and spawning, (ii) identification of appropriate live feed items and their mass culture for larval feeding, and (iii) suitable larval rearing systems with emphasis on water quality parameters.