Topics

What information does the book include?

1.         The first section, SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION, covers the basics, for example: elements of production, getting a feel for water and water chemistry, water sources, criteria in choosing the best species to produce, production/marketing suitability of the different families, identifying the gender of fish, acquiring and quarantining new broodstock.

2.         The second section, OPERATING STYLES, STRATEGIES AND FACILITIES, discusses options (with comparisons) in these aspects of production.

3.         The third and fourth sections give detailed information on PRODUCTION METHODS, including broodstock holding and conditioning, setting up for spawning, egg-care and larval rearing, and grow-out, covering diets, maintaining water quality, and health management for each stage. The section concludes with packing and shipping methods.

4.         These are followed by a section called MISCELLANEOUS FISH FARMING TECHNIQUES, which includes 24 detailed methods for activities such as the culture of infusoria and other live foods; the decapsulation, harvesting and grow-out of brine shrimp; harvesting net construction; making concentrated peat extract; disinfecting equipment and tanks; how to construct size-graders, glass tanks and grow-out systems; euthanizing fish etc.

5.         Sections on WATER CHEMISTRY and FISH DISEASES AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT come next, giving comprehensive, practical information on these subjects as they apply to ornamental fish farming.

6.         The eighth and ninth sections deal with MARKETING and SITE SELECTION.

 7.         The tenth section, INDIVIDUAL SPECIES, is a list of 133 species from 14 major commercial families/groups of fish with concise commercial breeding techniques for each.