Overview of the current international trade in ornamental fish, with special reference to Singapore

The value of international trade in ornamental fish in 1992 was US$247 million, based on import statistics, or US$140 million, based on export statistics. Between 1983 and 1992, annual growth of imports and exports averaged 21% and 16%, respectively. More than 100 countries are involved in this trade. The top five exporting countries in 1992 were Singapore (32%), Hong Kong (11%), the United States of America (USA) (11%), the Netherlands (7%) and Germany (6%). The top five importing countries were the USA (26%), Japan (17%), Germany (9%), the United Kingdom (9%) and France (7%). The bulk of ornamental fish trade internationally are freshwater in origin and farm-bred. Marine ornamental fish species and invertebrates are mainly wild-caught. An estimated one billion ornamental fish are exported annually, involving one thousand species or more. Mass-cultured fish species - e.g. guppy, tetra, angel, swordtail, platy, goldfish, koi - have long been established in the market and will continue to constitute the major market share. The author discusses the results of a trial on quality enhancement of the shipment of guppies, and makes recommendations on treatment to minimise stress and disease transmission.