volume 14 issues 2

7/28/2019 Volume 14 Issues 2

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Established

FISHMAILPUBLICATION OF THE MALAYSIAN FISHERIES SOCIETY

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2, JULY-SEPTEMBER 2005

The Inside Story

Intensive Farming of Tilapia in Concrete Tanks 4HPPNK 2005 Award Winner 5The Tagal System 9Conservation of Kelah 11East Malaysian Company Creates Stir 12Evaluating Spawning Induction in Channel Catfish 14Reproductive Behaviour of the Mudskipper 18Raising The Betta 20Corporate Profile: A-Class Fish Farm Sdn. Bhd. 22


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Malaysian Fisheries SocietyPersatuan Perikanan Malaysia

President

Mr. Ng Chee [email protected]

Vice President

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aziz [email protected]

Secretary

Dr. Annie [email protected]

Treasurer

Prof. Dr. Fatimah Md [email protected]

Editor

Ms. Sugania [email protected]

Council Members

Prof. Dato Dr. Mohamed Shariff Mohamed [email protected]

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ng Wing [email protected], [email protected]

Dr. Zuridah [email protected]

Mr. Yip Kam [email protected]

Mr. Ronald [email protected]

Mr. Ismail Abu [email protected]

Mr. Mahmud [email protected]

Auditors

Mr. Gopinath Nagaraj

Mr. Ronnie Tan

FishMail cover design, layout & format by Sugania Vijayan

Established 1987To champion the aquaculture and fishery industry towards a healthy, balanced and sustainable development


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Contents

Intensive Farming of Tilapia in ConcreteTanks

4

HPPNK 2005 Award Winner 5Presidents Message 6Secretarys Message 7Response to Selection and RealizedHeritability for Cold Tolerance inJuvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii

7

Upcoming Society Events 8Upcoming World Fisheries Events 8The Tagal System:The MostOutstanding Environmental FriendlyProject 2005

9

The Fishess Tale 9Mahseer 2006 10Conservation of Kelah 11East Malaysian Company Creates Stir 12Evaluating Spawning Induction inChannel Catfish

14Corporate Members 15New Members 15Industry Achiever 16Letters to Editor 17Reproductive Behaviour of theMudskipper

18Raising The Betta: Perspectives FromA Childhood Passion

20Corporate Profile 22Publications 23Advertisement 24

Dear Members,

Weve been receiving very encouraging

letters as well as feedback from members on

various fisheries related issues. Weve posted acouple in this issue of the FishMail. Were also

bringing to your attention an individual and anorganization that has recently been awarded for

their effort in achieving success in aquaculture aswell as pioneering an innovative system that has

contributed to conservation of indigenous fish

species.Its great to see aquaculture companies

making news headlines in the financial section ofnewspaper; congratulations to Borneo AquaHarvest

in joining the ranks of Xian Leng in being a public

listed company.If the Asian Aquafeeds seminar organizedby MFS is anything to judge by, then please know

that the Mahseer 2006 will not only meet the high

standards we have set but upstage it. To thosewho missed the Aquafeeds seminar, register now

for the Mahseer 2006 lest you miss out!By the time this issue is in your hands, the

MFS organized trip to China should be well on itsway. If this is your first time hearing about the

trip, thats a shame as we have advertised it in the

last issue and spread the word around plus its beenposted on our website for sometime now. Go on

then, surf our website, make sure you keepyourself constantly updated on the exciting

activities we keep putting together for yourbenefitits http://www.vet.upm.edu.my/~mfs/

If you have any suggestions on an individual

or company not in the public eye yet deserves tobe recognized, please write in to us. Were also

interested in featuring new technology, farmingtechniques, ideas/pract ices that are

unconventional and out of the box. If you haveinformation, share it!

In this issue, page 9 is my personal

favourite, its a bright spark of fun in the midst ofdry (but never boring!) write-ups.

S u g a n i a V i j a y a n

Tel: (012)-327 6737E-mail: [email protected]

Editorial

On the coverMarble Grouper Adults from the Farm of Plentiful

Harvest (subsidiary Borneo of AquaHarvest)


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Firstly, I would like to offer my apologies on behalfof the council for the late delivery of the previousFishMail. We have taken remedial measures and Iam happy to be able to have this FishMail availablefor our trip to South China. I also hope memberscan contribute more to the contents of theFishMail.

In my last message, I lamented on the issue offinancing (or lack of) as a major constraint towards

the development of aquaculture in Malaysia. I amhappy to note that an aquaculture based companyin Sabah, Borneo Aqua, has been accepted forlisting on MESDAQ. This is indeed a good signthat the financial circles are looking at aquaculturein a more positive light.

The issue of government support (or lack of) foraquaculture was also raised during the recent HariPeladang celebrations held in Shah Alam,Selangor. One of the key issues raised was the

lack of processing facilities for freshwater fishes.During the discussion, an officer responsible forfreshwater fish marketing in FAMA offered hisexplanations on why fishes, like Tilapiacannot bedeveloped successfully in Malaysia for theinternational market. Issues raised include the highcost of production, lack of available technology andalso lack of production standards. While I do notagree with most of the issues raised, the questionthat needs to be asked is what FAMA is doing

about this perceived problem?

There is a current shortage of fish supply from seacatches resulting in increased prices for marinefishes from fishermen. There is no better time thanto consider aquaculture as a viable business option.Adding to this, it is about time that investors take a

serious look at aquaculture feed manufacturingespecially for shrimp feed. This is because almost90% of the shrimp feeds used in Malaysia isimported. Malaysia has currently one of the lowestenergy costs, among the major fish producers in theregion, in view of the on-going oil crisis. Our feedmanufacturing costs are probably the lowest in theregion as there are no taxes on imported raw

materials.The MFS is committed to seeing Malaysiasucceed in aquaculture, by being self sufficient infishery produce. To assist this, we are planningprograms and activities that promote sound andsustainable activities in the industry. One of this isto organize field trips for members, and interestedpersons, to visit other parts of the region to learnfirst hand the aquaculture and fishery activitiescarried out. In the last 5 years, we have had 2 such

programs to South Thailand and the Mekongdelta of Vietnam. This year we have planned a 1-week trip to Southern China. China is the largestaquaculture country in the world accounting forabout 20 million metric tons, or slightly more than51% of the worlds production. China is also thelargest producer of Tilapia in the world and is thelargest exporter of both frozen whole and filletedtilapia to the United States.

As we are going into the last quarter of the year, Iam glad to announce that our plans for Mahseer2006 are going well and we hope to help makeMalaysia the leading center for this fish which is thepride of Asian rivers. I look to another successfulquarter for the MFS and hope that many of ourmembers will be reading the FishMail withenthusiasm.

Best wishes,

Ng Chee Kiat

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE


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Dear Members,It is already September, this is the month

for the Aquaculture Trip to China. The trip willbe from 26th September to 2nd October. This tripwill cover visit to sturgeon and abalone farms,Ornamental Fish Trading Center, Live Seafood

Market, Marine Fish Cage Cultures andHatchery, and a Geo-Membrane factory.Following the first two meetings of the organizingcommittee for Mahseer 2006, it was decided that

the symposium on Mahseer should be on the 29 thand 30th of March 2006. Announcementbrochures had been sent out to relevant partiesand organizations. Participation for posterpresentations are welcome.

Please visit the Societys website for thelatest update on the Society activities. For anyenquiries on the Society, you can contact the

Secretariat at 03-8948-8246 or email [email protected].

Thank you for your support to the Society.

Annie Christianus

"RESPONSE TO SELECTION AND REALIZED HERITABILITY FOR COLD TOLERANCE IN

JUVENILE MACROBRACHIUM ROSENBERGII (DEMAN)"By Ronald Cheong.

*(Ronald is currently working with Dindings Feed. He submitted this abstract as part of his M.Sc. thesis to the graduate faculty of the Louisiana

State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, School of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, 1986.)

Response to selection and realized heritabilities for cold tolerance were measured in positive selected

lines of juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Two lines of juveniles were subjected to a temperature

decrease of 1.0C per day until 8.3% and 21.3% survived fom each line, respectively. The selection

differential for each line was 0.6 degrees C. Surviving juveniles were grown to adults in earthern ponds.

Juvenile offspring from the two selected lines were produced in two replicate larval cycles and subjectedto the same cold tolrence test as performed on the parental generation. A significant difference (p


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Date Events & Locations19-21st October 2005 2nd International Sustainable Marine Fish Culture Conference

The conference will feature latest research on new production technologies for land-based recirculating

tank systems, ponds, inshore net cages and offshore netpens. Presentations will address biology, engi-

neering, integrated health management, and nutrition and feeding practices.

Contact : Simon Wilkinson Email : [email protected] URL : http://www.sustainableaquaculture.org

24-27 October 2005 6th Symposium on Diseases in Asian Aquaculture (DAA VI), Colombo, Sri LankaThe theme of the sixth symposium is 'Aquatic Animal Health Facing New Challenges'. A workshop, a

training course, an expert consultation and the 7th Triennial General Meeting (TGM-7) of FHS are being

planned in conjunction with DAA VI. Details will be made available through a dedicated website to be

launched in October.

Contact : Melba Reantaso Email : [email protected] URL : http://afs-fhs.seafdec.org.ph/

6-8 November 2005 VIBRIO 2005, Het Pand, Ghent, BelgiumCutting-edge studies covering the four main streamlines of current research i.e. Biodiversity, Ecology &

Applications, Genomics, and Disease & Epidemiology will be presented during Vibrio 2005. The meeting is

targeted at bacterial taxonomists, microbial ecologists, genome researchers, health management workers

and students.

Contact : Peter Dawyndt Email : [email protected] URL : http://lmg.ugent.be/vibrio2005

7-12 November 2005 7th Indian Fisheries ForumThe triennial meeting of the Asian Fisheries Society (Indian Branch), in collaboration with the Karnataka

Veterinary, Animal & Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, Hebbal Campus, Bangalore; and the Forum of

Fisheries Technologists, Bangalore.

Contact : Dr C. Vasudevappa Email : [email protected] URL : http://www.7iff2005.org/

1 November 31 De-cember 2005

Training course on Fish Quality AssuranceFood safety, quality and trade : Trade-related conferences, workshops and meetings.An internationaltraining course on Fish Quality Assurance will be held at the Fisheries College and Research Institute of

Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, India. Lectures will cover quality assurance, total

quality management (TQM), HACCP, GMP, SSOP, SCP, ISO 9000 standards, USFDA regulations, EU

hygienic regulations, microbial hazards, microbial quality indices, marine toxins, chemical hazards,

biochemical quality indices, instrumentation, recent trends in fresh fish preservation.

Contact : Dr. R. Santhanam. Email : [email protected]

URL : http://library.enaca.org/PDF/quality-assurance-05.pdf

16-19 November 2006 Malaysia Aquafair 2006.The 1st Malaysian International Ornamental Aquatic Industry Exhibition & Conference is scheduled to

provide a perfect platform for the world to view the Malaysian ornamental aquatic industry.

Contact: Ms. Yeo Moi Eim or Mr. Velu Murugan Ramasamy Tel: +603-8870 4000

Email: [email protected] Website: www.agrolink.moa.my/dof

Date Events & LocationsSeptember 26 October 2, 2005

TRIP TO SOUTHERN CHINA. For more information, please refer to the next page. Interested parties are invitedto contact the MFS Secretary, at [email protected], [email protected]

29-30 March 2006 MAHSEER 2006. A seminar in promotion on the Kelah fish will be held in Kuala Lumpur. For moreinformation, interested parties are invited to contact the MFS Secretary, at [email protected],[email protected]

To be confirmed 4 DAYS TRADE VISIT TO SOUTH INDIA. The program is organized by the Malaysian Fisheries Society togetherwith the Confederation of Fisheries & Aquaculture Industry Welfare Organization of India. For more informa-

tion, interested parties are invited to contact the MFS Secretary, at [email protected]

To be confirmed THE ROYAL BELUM FISH PARK SURVEY. A survey of the fish species found within the rivers flowing from thepark. For more information, interested parties are invited to contact the MFS Secretary, at

[email protected], [email protected]

For the latest updates on upcoming events, please check our website at http://www.vet.upm.edu.my/~mfs


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MAHSEER 2006International Symposium on the Mahseer

Date : 29th and 30th March 2006

Venue : Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Organized by : Malaysian Fisheries Society

Co sponsors : - Department of Fisheries, Malaysia

- Department of Agriculture, Sarawak- Department of Wildlife, Malaysia

- Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia Pacific

- Universiti Putra Malaysia

- INFOFISH

- Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM)

The Malaysian Fisheries Society is organizing this International Symposium on the Mahseer", with a view to

provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas in order to f o r m u l a t e strategies for the aquaculture

and conservation ofTor . The groundbreaking 2-day seminar will be the first international gathering of scientists

and professionals focusing on various aspects of the Mahseer ranging from taxonomy and genetics, breeding and

culture, conservation practices and social impact. Organized into 4 sessions, the seminar will comprise oral

presentations from invited speakers. Poster presentations are also invited for presentation during the seminar.

WHO SHOULD AT T E N D

This seminar will be of interest to Fish Hobbyists, Scientists, Fisheries Managers, Aquaculturists, Anglers, Policy

Makers as well as Researchers.

INFORMATION FOR INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS

Those interested in participating at this Symposium can contact the Secretariat by e-mail or writing to the

Malaysian Fisheries Society as per the contact provided in the registration form overleaf.

Prospective presenters should submit an abstract of their proposed presentation to the Chairman of the

Scientific Committee (Prof Sena de Silva; [email protected]) by 30th November 2005.

A proceeding of the Symposium will be published. The Chair of the Scientific Committee, on

acceptance of your abstract, will inform you of the details on the preparation of the manuscript. All

manuscripts will be subjected to peer review, prior to publication.

There will be a Post Conference Tour arranged for interested delegates to visit locations in Malaysia where

Mahseer research and commercialization is carried out.

REGISTRATION FEES

For further information, please contact the Secretariat of Malaysian Fisheries Society at :

03-8948-8246 or 012-339-1078 (Dr. Sanjoy/Dr. Annie) or email to [email protected] or [email protected]

Supported by: : - KAGUM

- Titiwangsa Heritage

By January 31st 2006 After February 1st 2006

Local participants RM 450.00 RM 550.00

International participants USD 200.00 USD 250.00

Members* RM 350.00 RM 450.00

Students RM 250.00 RM 350.00

N e t w o r k o fA q u a c u lt u r e

D e p a r t me n t o fA g r ic u l t u r e , S a r a w a k

D e p ar t me n t o fWi ld li fe , M a la ys ia

Department of Fisheries,Malaysia

Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia


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Spawning success of channel catfish in ponds

generally ranges from 30-50 %. This low spawning rate

requires the maintenance of a large surplus of broodfish.To improve spawning success and predictability of

spawning we have undertaken studies of induced spawning

in the pond environment. Previous work showed that a

combination of gonadotropin releasing hormone and

dopamine antagonist rapidly induces final maturation and

ovulation of channel catfish in spawning cages. To extend

this work to pond spawning we treated channel catfish with

slow release implants containing gonadotropin releasing

hormone with or without a dopamine antagonist 3 weeks

prior to the beginning of natural spawning.

On April 20 implants containing sGnRHa

(OVAPLANT,Syndel Laboratories Ltd.), sGnRHa and

domperidone or placebo implants were intramuscularly

(i.m.) administered to channel catfish females. All males

were treated with sGnRHa implants. These fish were

stocked into 0.04 hectare ponds, 22 females and 12 males

to a pond, all treatments were maintained in triplicate.

There were no differences between the treatment

groups for spawning rate, partly due to wide variation

between replicate treatments. Nevertheless, the rise in

cumulative percent spawning continued longer in the

control group which had the highest mean spawning rate of

the three treatments. The increase in percent spawning for

both sGnRHa (OVAPLANT,Syndel Laboratories Ltd.), and

sGnRHa+domperidone treated females slowed earlier than

in the control treated females (see arrows). Treatment with

slow release implants of sGnRHa (OVAPLANT,SyndelLaboratories Ltd.), and sGnRHa + domperidone appears to

have sped the occurrence of spawning but not increased

the percent success. Future work will focus on the rates of

delivery of induction compounds.

Literature References which you can use to guide you in the use ofOVAPLANT:Alemandras, J.M., Duenas, C., Nacario, J., Sherwood, N.M. and Crim, L.W.1988. Sustained hormone releaseIII: Use of gonadotropin-releasinghormone analogues to induce multiple spawning in the sea bas, Lates

calcarifer. Aquaculture. 74: 97-111.

Crim, L.W. 1985. Methods for acute and chronic hormone administrationin fish. In: Reproduction and culture of milkfish. Proc. Workshop of the

Tunkang Marine Laboratory, Taiwan. April 22-24, 1985. C.S. Lee and

I.C.Liao eds. Tunkang Marine Laboratory and Oceanic Institute. Hawaii. Pp.

1-13.

Goudie, C.A., Simco, B.A., Davis, K.B. and Parker, N.D. 1992 . Reproductiveperformance of pigmented and albino female channel catfish induced to

spawn with HCG or Ovaprim. J. World. Aquacult. Soc. 23: 138-145.

Lee, C.-S., Tamaru, C.S., Banno, J.E., Kelley, C.D.,Bocek, A. and Wyban, J.A.1986. Induced maturation and spawning of milkfish, Chanos chanosForsskal, by hormone implantation. Aquaculture. 52: 199-205.

Marte, L.M., Sherwood, N., Crim, L. and Tan, J. 1988. Induced spawning ofthe maturing milkfish (Chanos chanos) using human chorionic

gonadotropin and mammalian and salmon gonadotropin releasing

hormone analogues. Aquaculture, 73: 333-340.

Mason-Garcia, M., Vigh, S., Comura-Schally, A.M., Redding, T.W.,Somomgyvari-Vigh, K., Horvath, J and Schally, A.V. 1985.Raidoimmunoassay for 6-D-tryptophan analog of luteinizing hormone-

releasing hormone: Measurement of serum levels after administration of

long-lasting microcapsule formulations. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA.88:

1547-1551.

Mylonas, C.C., Gissis, A., Magnus, Y. and Zohar, Y. 1997. Hormonalchanges in male white bas (Marone chrysops) and eveluationof milt quality

after treatment with sustained-releasing hormone.

Powell, J.F.F., 1995. Gonadotropins I and II in Chinook salmon induced tospawn in seawater and freshwater with a salmon gonadotropin-releasing

hormone (GnRH) analog In: 1994. Powell, J.F.F. 1994. The origin and

evolution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in bony fishes. Ph.D.

Dissertation, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Zohar, Y., 1996. New approaches for the manipulation of ovulation andspawning in farmed fish. Bull. Natl. Res. Inst. Aquacult. 0(Suppl. 2): 43-48.

*US Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research Service, Catfish Genetics Research Unit, USA

Syndel Laboratories Ltd.Vancouver, Canada

EVALUATING SPAWNING INDUCTION IN CHANNEL CATFISH I c t a lu r u s p u n c t a t u s

USING sGnRHaAND DOMPERIDONE COMPOUNDSJ effrey Silverstein*, J im Powell, and Anita Kelly*


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NEW MEMBERSASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Ling Tak WaiPO Box 99, 96507 Bintangor, Sarawak0138123772,

084692621

Eric Lo Kok KiongLot 1619, Tmn Riverview, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak

[email protected]

Goh Kean LeongNo. 20, PT5715, Taman Pantai Remis Jaya

Pantai Remis 34900, Perak

012-2946689

Chuah Sze Ping37, Jalan Kubah U8/62, Sec. U8

Bukit Jelutong, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor0163285678

[email protected]

Chia Gek SiangNo 42, Jalan Sungai Keladi 2, off Jalan Kem

42000 Pelabohan Klang, Selangor DE012-3353160

FULL MEMBERS

Lucy Gabriel PusinSemongok Fisheries Centre

Batu 9, Jalan Kuching Serian93250 Kuching, Sarawak

[email protected]

Tacara Sdn BhdTB 4104, 2nd Floor, Lot 51 & 52, Block D, Bandaran

Baru II,Putrajaya WetlandTaman Wetland Putrajaya

Presint 14, 62301 PutraJaya

Safe World Enterprise (M) Sdn. Bhd.100 Jalan Tengku Kelima

P. O. Box 18,41720 Kelang,

Selangor

Persatuan NelayanKebangsaan, NEKMAT

152, Tingkat 1, Jalan 2/3APusat Bandar Utara

KM 12 off Jalan Ipoh,68100 Kuala Lumpur

CORPORATE MEMBERS

Aquatics International Sdn Bhd260 A Jalan Satu A,

Subang N/V40150 Shah Alam,Selangor

Xian Leng Bhd120, Jalan Terasik Dua Bangsar Baru,

59100 Kuala Lumpur

Sabah Fish Marketing Sdn BhdLocked Bag 109

88999 Kota Kinabalu,

Sabah

Dindings Soya & Multifeeds Sdn BhdNo. 163, 10th Floor,

Wisma MCA. Jalan Ampang,50450 Kuala Lumpur

TheMalaysian Fisheries Society wishes to express its gratitude for the continuous support of its corporate membersand we hope to maintain our relationship with them through an active participation in all our future activities.

The differences between full and associate membership Full members are individuals who are or have been engaged

in fisheries activities and who either possess appropriate

academic qualification or because of knowledge andexperience occupy positions that ordinary would in theopinion of the council require academic qualifications.

Associate members are individuals who are interested in theobjectives of the society, but who do no qualify for fullmembership.

Full, associate and student members are entitled to all theprivileges of the Society except that associate and studentmembers are not eligible to serve on the council.

Full and associate members are entitled to one vote eachwith the exception of student members.


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The Editor,

The letter which you published on 1st February about the ornamental fish tradequite rightly describes the damage to coral reefs due to the use of cyanide intended to stun

marine fish for collection and sale. We should be proud of the fact that Malaysia forbids the

export of any marine fish, in contrast to the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore.Unless it is proposed to ban all fish-keeping completely we should surely then be

trying to encourage the production of freshwater fish, in order to satisfy the worldwidedemand for aquarium fish. Of course this must be done under properly controlled

conditions and responsible exporters are already in close contact with the FisheriesDepartment to maintain standards. The business of breeding ornamental fish for export is

exactly in line with the government's objective of increasing production from the rural

areas. It also provides employment for many graduates of local universities whose job it isto ensure the health and good condition of those fish which are exported. Some companies

which have started up with no such standards are already out of business.Singapore is the world's largest exporter of tropical fish but most of these have

been bred in Malaysia. In recent years Malaysian exporters have taken a larger share ofthe market but they also have to compete with Thailand, Indonesia and other Asian

countries, with lower costs. The fact that they have done so successfully bears tribute tothe high standards maintained. The letter mentions the 'natural habitat' of fish as if it weresome sort of heaven. A fish born in the wild has, statistically, a very small chance of

reaching maturity due to its natural enemies as well as human fishermen. One bred for theaquarium trade will have no such enemies, but will be provided with the right food, the

right temperature, clean water, medical treatment and anything else possible to ensure itssurvival. It is true that it may be uncomfortable for a few hours in transit, but all those

involved have every reason to look after the fish they are paying for.

If, in my next life, I am reborn as a Malaysian fish I pray that it will not be in somejungle stream, or as an edible fish which will end up in the frying pan. Instead, I would

hope to be an aquarium fish and live a life of luxury with constant loving care andeverything provided, even female 'tankmates'!

Richard JonesApt. M.G 6, No.1, Persiaran Gurney 10250, Penang

(phone 042265408)

Dear Sir,

I was so impressed by the set of speakers that attended the last aqua feed seminar theMFS held (ASIAN AQUAFEEDS 2005: Charting New Strategies for Sustainable Develop-

ment of the Asian Aquaculture Feed Industry was held on 12 13 April 2005 in Kuala Lum-

pur, Malaysia organized by the Malaysian Fisheries Society) and it is so painful I didn'tknow about it until it was over. Could you kindly keep me posted when the next one will

be. I shall be happy if this mail is acknowledged and a response sent to me. Kindly allowme use this opportunity to ask if you are aware of any similar nutrition courses elsewhere.

I am a lecturer in the Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Yours faithfully,

Dr A Z Aderolu

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


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Corporate Profile: A-Class Fish Farm Sdn Bhd

Malaysian freshwater fishes are highly sought after

for both their food and ornamental value. They have

traditionally been sourced from their natural habitats and the

declining supplies have led to increased prices in recent years.

Seeing this demand as a potentially lucrative business, A-Class

Fish Farm was established for the breeding, nursing and also

production of indigenous riverine fishes.

A-Class Fish Farm was established in 2000, for the

purpose of supplying ornamental fishes. In 2002, an 18-acre

farm was established in Raub, Pahang as its production base.

The focus was shifted to local indigenous fishes including theIkan Kelah (Tor tambra), Temoleh (Probarbus jullieni), Patin(Pangasius pangasius), Tengalan (Puntius bulu), Jelawat(Leptobarbus hoeveni), Kerai (Puntius daruphani) andalso theSebarau (Hampala macrolepidota).

The mainstay of A-Class is the Kelah whichdominates the production from the farm. Since 2003, there

has been more than 100,000 fishes produced, making it easily

the single largest Kelah farm in Malaysia. For 2005 more than70,000 tails have been sold.

Apart fromKelah, the farm alsoproduces the Temoleh.As for Kelah, fish fry andfingerlings are sourcedfrom various suppliers in

the country and nursed

on a balanced commercial fish diet to larger sizes before they

are sold. The fish fry achieve survival of more than 90% in the

farm, which is much better than would be expected of the

fishes if they were in the wild. Temoleh are much fastergrowers than Kelah, being able to reach sizes of 2 kgs (25inches) within the first year as compared to only 600 grams

(15 inches).

The farm production facility consists of more than

60 concrete tanks and everal earthen ponds. The concrete

tanks range in size from 200 ft2 (10 x 20) to 3500 ft2 (50 x

70) while the earthen ponds range from 0.5 acres to 2 acres.Water is pumped from the Liang Riverwhich flows adjacent to

the farm. Additionally, there are also numerous indoor glass

aquaria used for holding the fishes for display and also

quarantine.

Fishes sold from the farm rages from 3 inches

upwards and is targeted mainly for the aquarium fish market.

The fishes produced are currently sold in the local market

mainly as ornamental fish. The buyers include major fish

exporters such as Guan Guan (Qian Hu), Xian Leng, San Sui

and Aquatics International. A-Class has plans on expanding its

market overseas to countries like Singapore, Thailand and also

China. Increasing demand for the fishes has led A-Class to look

for alternative sites to expand its production that will include

other fishes.Fishes coming into the farm are subjected to

grading and screening for parasites, and also treated with dip

bath for elimination of microbial pathogens. Fishes are graded

at regular intervals to ensure good growth and efficient

utilization of facilities. Customers prefer to buy the fishes from

A-Class because of the quality and uniformity of the fishes, and

also the reliability of supply.

Panaromic view of the

A-Class Fish Farm in

Raub, Pahang

Metallic-blue variety of

Kelah found at the farm

(left) and the signboard at

the farm (above) in Raub

where the fishes are nursed

The farm owner,

James Wong with a

bag of Temoleh

from the farm.


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All publications can be ordered from:Malaysian Fisheries SocietyAquatic Animal Health Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Tel/Fax: (603)-8948 8246 E-mail: [email protected] , [email protected] and [email protected]

Website: www.vet.upm.edu.my/~mfs/

Back Cover (Full Colour) with featured write-up RM 2,000.00Back Cover (Full Colour) RM 1,500.00

Back Cover (Black & White) RM 1,300.00

Full Page (Inside-Full Colour) RM 1,200.00

Full Page (Inside-Black & White) RM 900.00

Half Page (Black & White) RM 500.00

Annual SponsorshipSponsor will receive the followings benefits;

Full page advertisement in colour on the back cover for all issues.

Organisation/company logo will be printed on the bottom left corner of the cover

RM 8, 000.00

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Kings of the Rivers: Mahseer in Malaysia and the Region 150 180

Author: Ng Chee Kiat

Tropical Marine Environment: Charting Strategies for the Millennium

Edited by: F.M. Yusoff, M. Shariff, H.M. Ibrahim, S.G. Tan & S.Y. Tai

Aquatic Resources & Environmental Studies of the Straits of Malacca

Edited by: B. Japar Sidik, A Arshad, S.G. Tan, S.K. Daud, H.A. Jambari & S. Sugiyama

Aquaculture Practices in Malaysia 50 75

Edited by: Gopinath Nagaraj & Tarlochan Singh

Advances in Seed Production Technologies 20 35

Edited by: Siti Shapor Siraj & Thalathiah Saidin

Fish/Shrimp Nutrition and Feed Technology (Out of print) 10 15Edited by Ng Chee Kiat & Abdullah Abd. Rahman

Fish Industry: Prospects and Challenges 10 15

Edited by: Khusairi Mohd, Nor Fatimad, Mohd. Arshad & Abdullah Abu Bakar

New Commodities in Malaysian Aquaculture. Edited by F.M. Yusoff and M. Shariff 25 30

Freshwater Game Fishes of Malaysia Poster1 20 25

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