Ornamental FishOrnamental Fish

Dr. Craig KasperDr. Craig KasperHCC BrandonHCC Brandon

Tampa

So far...it’s been all about the food!So far...it’s been all about the food!

• Aquaculture has been (and may always be) Aquaculture has been (and may always be) about feeding people. about feeding people.

““But Dr. K....But Dr. K....

What else is there??”What else is there??”

““Feel good” fish!Feel good” fish!

• First...lets revisit food fish aquaculture.First...lets revisit food fish aquaculture.

(Tlusty 2005)(Tlusty 2005)

IntroductionIntroduction

♦ Aquarium trade a rapidly growing sector of aquaculture.Aquarium trade a rapidly growing sector of aquaculture.

♦ Approximately $15 billion industry (Bartely 2000).Approximately $15 billion industry (Bartely 2000).

♦ High High demanddemand drives industry ($$$). drives industry ($$$).

♦ Several pros and cons concerning this industry.Several pros and cons concerning this industry.

Making fish makes money!Making fish makes money!

Source: 1998 Census of Aquaculture, USDA-NASS

Ornamental FishOrnamental Fish

• Influence of capture fisheries still applies.Influence of capture fisheries still applies.

• As restrictions on animal collection As restrictions on animal collection

intensify, culture of ornamental fish intensify, culture of ornamental fish

(OF) will assume a larger roll.(OF) will assume a larger roll.

• Currently, 90% of aquarium freshwaterCurrently, 90% of aquarium freshwater

fish cultured. (Reverse for marine fish—major fish cultured. (Reverse for marine fish—major issue!)issue!)

Ornamental FishOrnamental Fish

• Production of OF is a global industry with global Production of OF is a global industry with global impacts (globalization = bad news?)impacts (globalization = bad news?)

• Has accounted for 40-60% of total exports in Has accounted for 40-60% of total exports in Singapore, Brazil, Phillipines (Tay, 1977; Chao Singapore, Brazil, Phillipines (Tay, 1977; Chao 1997; Dowd and Tlusty 2000; Baquero).1997; Dowd and Tlusty 2000; Baquero).

• However, this has all been at the EXPENSE of However, this has all been at the EXPENSE of the capture industry!the capture industry!

Ornamental FishOrnamental Fish

• Production of OF doubled between 1985-1997. Production of OF doubled between 1985-1997. • In U.S., OF production is ranked fourth behind catfish, In U.S., OF production is ranked fourth behind catfish,

trout, and salmon; 7% of total aquacultural production trout, and salmon; 7% of total aquacultural production (JSA, 1999). (JSA, 1999).

• Florida produces over Florida produces over 800800 varieties of freshwater varieties of freshwater ornamental fish through captive breeding accounting for ornamental fish through captive breeding accounting for nearly 80% of total U.S. value (FASS 1999).nearly 80% of total U.S. value (FASS 1999).

• U.S. demand accounts for ~60% of total industry!U.S. demand accounts for ~60% of total industry!

Ornamental FishOrnamental Fish

• Lucrative industry (average value $35-60/lb.; marine Lucrative industry (average value $35-60/lb.; marine even higher at $400-600/lb.)even higher at $400-600/lb.)

• Captive breedingCaptive breeding of marine fish accounts for much of marine fish accounts for much less (~13% of marine fish traded are cultured, 3% less (~13% of marine fish traded are cultured, 3% commercially feasible (Dawes 1998; Schiemer 2001).commercially feasible (Dawes 1998; Schiemer 2001).

Ornamental FishOrnamental Fish• GreedGreed has led to habitat destruction. has led to habitat destruction.

- Mangrove destruction, reefs, illegal collection- Mangrove destruction, reefs, illegal collection

- Conservation groups, government influence.- Conservation groups, government influence.

- Clearly another black-eye for aquaculture!- Clearly another black-eye for aquaculture!

• How do we combat this?How do we combat this?- Limitations on collection. - Limitations on collection.

- Limit number of fish (Bahamian 50 fish/permited - Limit number of fish (Bahamian 50 fish/permited species).species).

- Limit number/size of speices (FL restrictions on 49 spp.)- Limit number/size of speices (FL restrictions on 49 spp.)

- More reliance on aquaculture (HBOI 2000)- More reliance on aquaculture (HBOI 2000)

- Artificial propigation (“just borrow some”)- Artificial propigation (“just borrow some”)

Culture of Ornamental FishCulture of Ornamental Fish

• Variety of culture methodsVariety of culture methods- Closed systems (tanks, ponds)- Closed systems (tanks, ponds)

- Florida- 0.1 acre sandy loam or coral bedrock (- Florida- 0.1 acre sandy loam or coral bedrock (

• Semi-intesive densitiesSemi-intesive densities- tiger barb fry (pond) = 10k/m- tiger barb fry (pond) = 10k/m33

- clown fish (tanks) = 700-3800/m- clown fish (tanks) = 700-3800/m33

(Tlusty 2005)(Tlusty 2005)

Dr. Craig S. KasperHCC Brandonckasper@hccfl.edu