Ornamental fish culture and trade in Mexico

Resumen

Objective: To present the situation and context regarding the commercialization of ornamental fishes in Mexico, their principal commercialized species and its impact when extracted from their natural habitat.

Design/methodology/approach: This research was carried out by searching and compiling bibliographic literature, as well as consulting articles in different databases, for subsequent analysis and information processing.

Results: In Mexico, more than 25 million ornamental fish are sold per year, ornamental aquaculture production is mainly concentrated in the state of Morelos, with the Guppy and Japanese as the most produced and consumed fish within the national territory: however, some native species are extracted from natural aquatic systems in Mexico with serious consequences.

Limitations on study/implications: There is scarce information because various producers and extractors of ornate fish do not have permits, so it is difficult to keep a record of their activities, likewise the trade in marine species does not have official records of their catches and sales.

Findings/conclusions: The Poecilidae family is the most cultivated fish in Mexico. The most sold fish in Mexico are the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) and the goldfish (Carassius auratus), both produced mainly in the state of Morelos.