Abstract
Southeast Asia is a very rich area in biodiversity with a
high degree of endemism in both flora and fauna. Many
freshwater fish species have been exploited for the
ornamental fish trade. As the population in Southeast Asia
increases, vast tracts of forests are cleared for
agricultural, industrial and urbanization purposes. In order
to conserve and sustainably exploit the wild fish
population, measures should be adopted to protect this
natural resource. Already, several ornamental species have
been severely overexploited, e.g. Bala
Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus), Pygmy Loach
(Botia sidthimunki) and Arowana
(Scleropages formosus). The reasons for the
extirpation of local populations are manifold and not due
just to fishing for the trade, among which is deforestation.
There are also still many species which have great
ornamental fish potential. Wild fish species have also been
successfully bred in captivity and conserved, e.g. Tiger
Barb (Puntius tetrazona), Bala Shark
(Balantiocheilos melanopterus), Pygmy Loach (Botia
sidthimunki) and Arowana (Scleropages formosus).
Other methods of conservation include public education,
leaving pristine forests intact and reforestation. The
aquarium trade of the Clown
Loach (Botia macracanthus) in Sumatra and Borneo
is discussed.
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