Ornamental fish cultivation began about ten years ago in the Arava at the initiative of the local Agricultural Research and Development Unit. Over the past five years, there has been a trend towards tropical fish farm development, including establishment of new farms and expansion of others. Production in the Arava comes to some 800,000 fish per month, of which 99% are exported. The Arava is now the dominant player in production and marketing of tropical fish in Israel, with an 85% market share. The number of breeders has increased from four to 15.

In addition to the tropical fish breeding farms established previously, we now have cold water fish farms as well, raising such species as koi and goldfish and exporting their yields to Europe. Proximity to markets and controlled, disease-free industrial production methods give the Arava an advantage over the Far East.

The ornamental fish industry is a good alternative to vegetable cultivation, that fulfills policies calling for efficient use of water. Development of this industry may help continue expansion of settlement in the Arava without requiring additional soil preparation and water source development, besides providing employment for the next generation and increasing production volume. Continued expansion of this type will require a sizable investment in research and development.

Marine ornamental fish breeding is a developing industry based largely on capturing fish in their natural habitat. These fish command high prices because the number of domesticated strains is very small and demand is great. There are very few breeders anywhere in the world capable of breeding maritime ornamental fish in captivity. Obviously, recent expansion of the industry, depletion of fish in their natural habitat and the growing power of “green” organizations will increase demand for fish from artificial breeding facilities.

Several species in great demand, such as the clownfish, that includes some breathtakingly beautiful strains, but we still require additional knowledge about their breeding and cultivation. The local R&D unit has set up a marine ornamental fish cultivation center that will help compile a knowledge base on breeding such fish in captivity and enable development of a special, innovative industry of strategic importance to the current Arava export complement, with an eye towards expansion. Success in acclimation and breeding of select families of maritime ornamental fish and compilation of a knowledge base concerning their cultivation in captivity in the Arava will be of the highest economic value to breeders and will provide considerable leverage for ornamental fish exports. Our dream of turning the Arava into a smaller version of Singapore – considered the top exporter in this field – may one day become reality.