A trend of ornamental fish business in Barisal division, Bangladesh

Abstract

Ornamental fish trade is rapidly expanding and there is a growing recreational demand for aquarium fishes in the domestic and international market. This research paper tries to provide the initial assessment results regarding the ornamental fish resources and its trading status in Barisal division, Bangladesh. A total of 19 aquarium shops were found to be working with new promise in this region. It was found that 29 varieties of ornamental fishes including both exotic and indigenous were traded in Barisal division of which the representatives from the fish order Cypriniformes are dominant. Price of aquarium fishes varied due to size of each species ranged from BDT 30 to BDT 800 per pair. Most of the ornamental fishes were imported by trader. Then they were supplied to district level suppliers. Aquarium accessories such as feed, medicine, artificial light also were traded in aquarium shops in this area.