Freshwater ornamental fish production is being promoted as an alternative livelihood and aquabusiness opportunity as fish farmers, fisheries technical personnel, and other stakeholders strengthen their knowledge and skills in breeding and culture through a training conducted by the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) through the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center (FFRDC).

Held on September 22–24, 2026, at FFRDC in Taal, Batangas, the three-day training on “Breeding and Culture of Freshwater Ornamental Fish” was implemented under the Aquabusiness Technology Business Incubation (ABS-TBI) Program. Participants included ABS-TBI incubatees, technical staff from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regions 1, 4A, 4B, and 6, and other fisheries stakeholders.

In her welcome message, FFRDC Officer-in-Charge Myleen Magistrado highlighted freshwater ornamental fish as an alternative income source for fish farmers and aspiring aquapreneurs.

“Ang aquaculture ay hindi lamang nakatuon sa pag-aalaga ng mga isdang pagkain. Malaki rin ang potensiyal ng freshwater ornamental fish bilang karagdagang pagkakakitaan at negosyo para sa ating mga fish farmers,” Magistrado said, emphasizing the importance of appropriate technology, management, and market-oriented production.

NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, in a video message, underscored the ABS-TBI Program’s role in bringing science-based fisheries technologies closer to farmers and other stakeholders to improve production and develop viable aquabusinesses.

The training combined lectures and hands-on activities. FFRDC Science Research Specialist II Janet Baral discussed the freshwater ornamental fish industry, breeding and culture of livebearers and egg-laying species, broodstock selection and management, monitoring, and record-keeping. Participants also practiced selecting quality breeders, sorting, grading, and culling to maintain healthy and marketable stocks.

FFRDC Science Research Specialist I Myla Muyot discussed the culture of natural food and its importance during the early stages of fish production in supporting survival, growth, and stock quality.

Meanwhile, NFRDI Training Division Chief Joey Caser discussed NFRDI’s mandate and role in generating scientific knowledge and technologies for the fisheries sector, emphasizing the importance of translating research into practical applications at the farm and enterprise levels.

For ABS-TBI incubatee Rachelle Gay Suba of San Luis, Pampanga, the training provided knowledge that she could share with members of her organization.

“Bilang presidente ng aming association, ibabahagi at ituturo ko rin sa aming mga kasamahan ang tamang pag-aalaga at pagpaparami ng freshwater ornamental fish na natutunan ko mula sa training na ito,” Suba said.

During the closing program, ABS-TBI Assistant Program Leader Dr. Joseph Christopher Rayos highlighted ornamental fish production as an additional livelihood option alongside conventional food-fish production.

Through the ABS-TBI Program, NFRDI continues to equip stakeholders with practical knowledge and skills that can support the development of quality-oriented and market-responsive freshwater ornamental fish enterprises. ### (James Carl Arespi)