THE STATUS OF ORNAMENTAL FISH INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA

THE STATUS OF
ORNAMENTAL FISH
INDUSTRY
IN MALAYSIA
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Badariah Mohd Ali
Introduction
Ornamental fish in Malaysia started since the
1950’s though collection of fish from natural
waters in Johor
More than 250 species of 550 varieties of
ornamental fish are cultured in Malaysia
These include local species and exotic
species from South America and Africa.
About 500 culturists are involved in the
ornamental fish industry
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Ornamental fish culture
Ornamental fish production, mainly for export
Potential areas mainly in Johor, Perak,
Selangor, P. Pinang, Melaka, N.Sembilan
& Pahang
Main species are freshwater fish & aquatic
plants
Modern production technologies
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Status
There are about 500 farms occupying an area of 1,000ha
and 5,000 people are employed
Main producing areas are Johor(83%) and Perak(14%)
PERLIS
KEDAH
PULAU
PINAN G
TERENGGANU
KELANTAN
PERAK
SOUTH CHINA SEA
PAHAN G
SABAH
SELANGOR
STRAITS
OF MALACCA
NEGERI
SEMBILAN
MELAK A
JOHOR
SARAWAK
Status

More than 600 varieties of fish are exported

Farm size: from 1/10 ha to 40 ha.

Most of the farm are family operated ( > 90%)

95% of products are exported
FACTORS FOR THE RAPID
DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY

Climate – Average temperature of 21-33C and annual
rainfall of 2-3 meters

Natural Resources – Plenty of beautiful wild and
indigenous fishes, many suitable land with good
supply of water.

Infra-structure – Road, electricity, telecommunication
extended to all rural areas and MAS reaches almost
100 major city worldwide.

Government Support – Priorities are given to this
industry

Diligent workforce – Smart, hard working with
reasonable low wages.

Logistic – At central of Asia and next to Singapore,
the biggest exporting country
Ornamental Fish & Production
Total (million pcs)
733.3
644.1
558.3
306.1
2000
408.0
428.3
2002
2003
455.7
458.2
2004
2005
338.0
2001
2006
2007
2008
Popular groups, species & varieties
NO.
GROUP
1
CYPRINIDS
2
COBITIDS
3
CYPINODONTIDSS
4
ANABANTIDS
5
SPECIES
Barb
Koi
Danio
Sharks
Goldfish
Rasbora
Loaches
Botia
Ghost Fish
Kili Fishes
Betta
Asst. Fish
Flying Fox
Pleacotomus
Blood Parrot
Pelaga
Gouramy
Corydoras
POECILIDS
Molly
Swordtail
Guppy
Mino
Planty
6
CHARACINS
Tetra
Silverdollar
Putter Fish
7
CICHLIDS
Angel
Chichlid
Oscar
Ramaresi
Discus
8
OSTEOGLOSSIDS
Pearl Arowana
Silver Arowana
Black Arowana
Rainbow Fish
9
CALLCHTHYIDS
Catfish
Suler Mouth
Production by Popular Group
NO.
GROUP
1
Cyprinids
2
Cyprinodontids
3
PIECES
PERCENTAGE (%)
132,735,244
18.10
174,413
0.0
Anabantids
34,488,264
4.70
4
Poecilids
170,051,467
23.10
5
Characins
36,939,306
5.00
6
Cichlid
8,763,233
1.10
7
Osteoglossids
104,301
0.0
8
Callichthyids
223,310
0.0
9
Cobitids
152,148
0.0
10
Aquatic Plants
340,725,330
46.40
11
Others
8,898,184
1.20
733,255,200
100.00
Total
Fisheries Statistic 2008
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Ornamental Fish Species
Guppy
Arowana
Gold Fish
Discus
Gouramy
Barb
CYPRINIDS
Koi Carp
Red Comet Gold Fish
Zebra Danio
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Silvertip Tetra
CYPRINIDS
Red White Oranda
Red Oranda
Black Moor
Red Oriental
CYPRINODONTIDS
Malaysian Fighter
ANABANTIDS
Honey Gourami
Dwarf Gourami
Blue Gourami
Pearl Gourami
POECILIDS
Swordtail
Sunrise Platy
Tuxedo Guppy
Sunset Platy
CHARACINS
Serpae Tetra
Red Eye Tetra
Neon Tetra
Black Tetra
CICHLIDS
Discuss
Angelfish
CICHLIDS
Flower Horn
OSTEOGLOSSIDS
Arowana
MAIN ORNAMENTAL FISH CULTURE SYSTEMS
EARTHERN PONDS
FIBRE GLASS
TANKS
CONCRETE
TANKS
Arowana Farming
Selection of spawn
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Arowana Breeding
Collection of fry / egg yolk
Incubate in tank for better survival
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Export of ornamental fish
The quality of Malaysian ornamental fish are
guaranteed as only the best and healthiest
fish are exported.
With a network of five Quarantine and Fish
Health Centres at major entry/exit points
throughout the country, Malaysia is able to
control the inadvertent importation of harmful
fish pathogens.
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Export of ornamental fish
We also ensure all exports have proper
documentation and health certification as well
as proper CITES documentation for species
listed under the CITES Appendices.
With the excellent facilities at our modern
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA),
you can be assured of proper handling to
ensure the fish arrives safely at its
destinations.
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Ornamental fish export, 2003 - 2007
Year
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Quantity
(Metric Tonne)
11,009
8,389.03
9,286.18
12,324.43
14,000.00
Value
(Million RM)
73.47
81.95
85.04
82.0
95.3
Export procedure of Live Fish
Application
Receive, Process and
Certify application
Incomplete
No
Complete
Document
Yes
Prepare Permit but Retain
Until Day of Export
Inspects Consigment on
the day of Export
Permit not Granted
(Cannot Export)
No
Status of
Inspection
Yes
Certify Permit
Issue for Export
Export
Import procedure of live fish
Rejected
1) Incomplete documents
2) Conditions not fulfilled
No
Application
Application
Processed
Yes
No
No
Inspection
Yes
Do not Follow
Regulations
Conditions Fulfilled
Diseased Consigment
Seize
Permit Issued
Quarantine
Healthy
Report to Police
Consignment Release
Unhealthy
Disposal of
Consignment
Malaysian Ornamental Fish Export
Destination
Others
22%
Singapore
26%
Australia
3%
Spain
3%
United
Kingdom USA
5%
5% Italy
5%
Hong Kong
10%
Japan
21%
Export Facilities
KLIA International Airport
Inspection and quarantine held at KLIA
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
THANK YOU
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Department of Fisheries Malaysia,
Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-Based Industry,
Level 1 – 6, Lot 4G2, Wisma Tani, Presint 4,
62628 Putrajaya
MALAYSIA
http://www.dof.gov.my
Phone No. : 603-8870 4000
Fax No. : 603-8889 2460