Fishkeeping—part art, part science—is now the world’s most popular hobby after photography. Globally valued at $15 billion and growing by 14 percent yearly, the ornamental fish trade is aquaculture’s sunrise industry. So why isn’t the Philippines farming ornamental fish? The Philippines—a country blessed with vast freshwater resources, a tropical climate, talented labor, plus relatively serviceable air and seaports—is lagging behind its Asian neighbors. Though it exports wild marine fish, it doesn’t export ornamental freshwater fish due to erratic production.

Ornamental fish farmers: Aquaculture's next big trend?. (2015, June 7). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. B2-1.