Introduction
Freshwater tropical ornamental fish culture is
the largest component of aquaculture in the State of
Florida and accounts for approximately 95% of all
ornamentals produced in the U.S. There are about
200 Florida producers who collectively raise over
800 varieties of freshwater fishes. In 1999 alone,
farm-gate value of Florida-raised tropical fish was
about US$43.2 million. Given the additional
economic effects of tropical fish trade such as
support industries, wholesalers, retail pet stores, and
aquarium product manufacturing, the importance to
Florida is tremendous.