***** Sri Lanka is a tropical country with rich biodiversity. The country's inland waterways have freshwater habitats with 95 species out of 53 endemic species. In addition, Sri Lanka's continental shelf supports several reef habitats with approximately 158 species that occur both on inshore and offshore reefs.
# It was started in the 1930s by several small-scale importers, breeders, and hobbyists. Sri Lanka's first public aquarium was established in Colombo (Dehiwala Zoo) in 1952 as an initiation area for the aquarium fish industry. The diversity of this fish fauna is influenced by the different drainage systems existing in the country leading to a specific pattern for the distribution of freshwater fish.
The potential of this fish source was identified by certain individuals and entities which led to the creation of an "Ornamental Fish Industry" within the country.
# This commercialized industry later became a prosperous income earner for the country with an export market and employment opportunities for many people. As a result, the establishments spread towards the country's north-central, north-west, and central provinces. Ornamental fish exports showed a significant increase. Sri Lanka exports marine, freshwater, brackish water, fish species, and invertebrates. Small- and medium-scale producers ensure the quality standards of these fish species and ensure that the exported fish are only captive-bred and not wild-caught.
# Sri Lanka consists of a favorable landscape that supports ornamental fish farming. Since land is abundant, land that cannot be used for agriculture or other establishments is used for fish farms. This is further supported by favorable climatic conditions and the availability of quality water. Grow-out facilities are mainly cement cubicles, glass tanks and earthen ponds. The most used fish supplements are farmed feed, shrimp, and poultry feed.
# The law also revolves around preventing disease and unwanted species from entering the country. The export of certain live fish species is also prohibited. If there is any need to export such species, exporters must have a certificate issued by the Sri Lankan Fisheries Department. Sri Lanka's ornamental fishing industry is governed by strict environmental laws to protect the sustainability of the industry as well as protect the country's native fish populations. About 74% of native fish species are threatened with extinction. Of these species, 12 are critically endangered, while 12 remain endangered and 9 are threatened. Most of these fish species are found outside protected areas, which threaten them with degradation, habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change.
# Several recommendations have been made for the conservation of these endangered species. These recommendations suggest conducting island-wide surveys to identify yet-to-be-described species and conduct population assessments.
# Ornamental fish breeders in Sri Lanka export 35 species of ornamental fish. Freshwater fish such as neon tetra and guppy account for 60% of the export trade. Marine ornamentals support 20% of the export trade and brackish fish 5%. The major markets for the aquarium business are the United States, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Japan, China, Poland, Italy, and Canada.
# The main ornamental fish species in Sri Lanka's export market are guppies, neon tetras, platys, swordtails, mollys, angels, goldfish, zebra danios, and discus. Among these species, 60% of the total exports consist of guppies, swordtails, platys, and mollys. Demand for ornamental exotic fish is increasing. Therefore, the development of technology to produce high-quality fish of high-demand species and the breeding of new varieties through hybridization has been identified as a major need for the development of the industry.
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