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 expo rt statistics. Between 1983 and 1992, annual growth of imports and exp orts averaged 21% and 16%, respectively. More than 100 countries are i nvolved in this trade. The top five exporting countries in 1992 were S ingapore (32%), Hong Kong (11%), the United States of America (USA) (1 1%), the Netherlands (7%) and Germany (6%). The top five importing cou ntries were the USA (26%), Japan (17%), Germany (9%), the United Kingd om (9%) and France (7%). The bulk of ornamental fish traded internatio nally are freshwater in origin and farm-bred Marine ornamental fish sp ecies and invertebrates are mainly wild-caught. An estimated one billi on ornamental fish are exported annually, involving one thousand speci es or more. Mass-cultured fish species - e.g. guppy tetra, angel, swor dtail, platy, goldfish, koi - have long been established in the market and Mill continue to constitute the major market share. The author di scusses the results of a trial on quality enhancement of the shipment of guppies, and makes recommendations on treatment to minimise stress and disease transmission.