Ernesto Rojas, a prominent ornamental fish trader in Inirida, Colombia, sources vibrant fish from indigenous fishermen in the Amazon region. These species, including the sought-after altum scalars, are exported worldwide, generating significant revenue for the local economy. Guainia, known for its rich biodiversity, hosts 60% of Colombia’s ornamental fish species. Despite environmental concerns, authorities regulate sustainable practices, including seasonal bans to protect vulnerable species, ensuring that ornamental fishing remains a vital and low-impact industry.
Every day, local fishermen in the Colombian region of Guainia bring vibrant, small fish to Ernesto Rojas, who maintains a farm where these aquatic beauties are prepared for aquariums worldwide.
The elderly Rojas stands out as a prominent figure in the ornamental fish trade within Inirida, Guainia’s capital, located in southeastern Colombia near the Venezuelan border.
In the indigenous tongue, Guainia translates to ‘land of many waters.’ This department is renowned for its unique natural resources, a fact that resonates amid the ongoing UN biodiversity conference in Cali.
Rojas safeguards the fish in ponds, shielded from predatory birds using nets. He sells his catches to exporters in Bogotá, who facilitate shipments to markets in the USA, Asia, and Europe.
To ensure the fish survive transit to the capital, they are carefully placed in plastic bags filled with pressurized oxygen.
Among the species available are sapuaras (Semaprochilodus laticeps), known for their lively behavior, and cardinal fish, favored for their tranquil nature in schools.
Additionally, the majestic scalaria altum (Pterophyllum altum) is highly sought after for its grace and unique long, triangular fins. This species, distinguished by its black or red markings, is exclusive to the Amazon region.
Rojas acquires these fish for around two dollars each, but once they reach the American market, their price can skyrocket to $70 or $80, after passing through various intermediaries.
“Such beauty in such a small creature,” Rojas reflects while preparing to ship a batch of 600 to 800 altum scalars.
“After exploring much of the country, I ended up here by chance and discovered an abundance of fish. I believe this region has the highest concentration of ornamental fish in Colombia,” he asserts.
– Vulnerable Piranhas –
In reality, Guainia hosts around 60% of the 521 ornamental fish species permitted for sale in Colombia, as reported by the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority (Aunap).
According to the authority, 526 tons of fish were exported this year, generating revenues of six million dollars.
In a location accessible only by air or lengthy river journeys, ornamental fishing plays a vital role in supporting the local economy, emphasized Oscar Javier Vargas, head of the department’s environmental authority (CDA), in a statement to AFP.
To maintain the industry’s sustainability, the authorities implement an annual seven-week fishing ban, typically from early April to June. Certain species, like scalaria, are protected even earlier in the year.
“This is a regulated sector with commendable practices,” Vargas asserts confidently.
The government also ensures that certain vulnerable species, including piranhas and the strikingly colored tucunare (Cichla temensis), are not harvested from the mineral-rich waters of the Inirida River and its tributaries.
These minerals are believed to contribute significantly to the vibrant coloration of altum scalaria and other native species.
Vargas acknowledges that witnessing an animal lose its freedom for someone’s enjoyment is concerning for animal rights advocates. However, he argues that artisanal ornamental fishing using small nets has a minimal environmental footprint, especially when compared to illegal gold mining, which contaminates waterways with vast amounts of mercury each year.
He warns, “If we were to terminate ornamental fishing, the repercussions for the environment would be dire.”