Fresh Water Fish
As one of the countries with high biodiversity, Sri Lanka is a heaven for freshwater ornamental fish. The country boasts of 95 species of freshwater water fish and 52 of them are endemic to the country. In fact, 41% of the country’s fish species are found in freshwater and nearly 70% of them are only found in Sri Lanka.
Freshwater ornamental fish exports from Sri Lanka comprise the more colourful and more striking members such as Guppies, Plates, Gold Fish varieties including Fantails, Orandas, Redcaps; Barb varieties including Golden barbs and Rosy barbs; Danios including Zebra danio; Tetras such as Serpae Tetra, Neon Tetra; Gouramis, Catfishes, and Cichlids such as Angels, Oscars and Discus.
Sri Lankan ornamental fish suppliers breed and export exotic and indigenous freshwater varieties, which make up roughly 70% of the total ornamental fish exports. Staying true the globally accepted ethical harvesting practices a large number of mid and small level ornamental fish exporters and suppliers in Sri Lanka successfully breeds the most colourful and rare freshwater breeds in captivity. The country has nearly 50 established exporters in the sector and the ornamental freshwater fish industry in Sri Lanka is governed by a series of stringent environmental and export laws to ensure a fair balance between conservation and trade development.
Out of the freshwater species exported from Sri Lanka, colourful Guppy fish consists nearly 60 -70% of annual exports. Among the rarer and exotic Sri Lankan, ornamental fish exports are, Ceylon Logsucker, Pearly Rasbora, Purplehead Barb, Moonyfish, and Three Spot Gourami.
