Rajasthan to get first ornamental fish breeding centre

In a one of its kind move, Rajasthan will soon have the country's first centre of excellence for breeding ornamental fishes at Bisalpur in Tonk district, slated to be operational from July.
"None of the states have centre of excellence in breed ornamental fishes in the country. We are developing a centre of excellence at Bisalpur at cost of Rs 5 crore with a purpose to establish national and international market in the field," We will breed nearly 70-75 species of the ornamental fishes including live bearers and egg layers," state Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhulal Saini told PTI.

He said that they are hoping to start the centre by July this year.
"We have visited Kochi to explore ornamental fishing breeding in fresh water, saline and brackish water. We have visited the Marine Products Export Development Authority in Kochi and other national institutes that breed and research on aquaculture," Saini said.
"Aquaculture is a sunrise sector and there is increasing trend of aquarium in hotel, malls and even residences. Considering all the factors, we met the experts in Kochi for understanding the concept," he said.
Out of the total Rs 5 crore, the state government has spent Rs 2 crore in constructing aquarium and hatchery in Bisalpur near to state capital, another Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned for further work.

Some of the species of ornamental fishes that will be bred at the proposed centre includes Guppy, Mollies, Platies, swordtails among livebearers and Danios, Rasboras, Barbs and Gold Fish among egg laying fishes, the minister said.