Molecular tools help uncover the breeding habits of expensive fish
by Shobana Kesava, The Straits Times Friday 3 Oct 08;

UNLIKE most of their scaly counterparts, Asian arowanas mate for life, local studies by ornamental fish farmers and scientists have found.

And when it comes to taking care of the brood, father knows best. The male carries the babies in its mouth for over six weeks before allowing them to swim free.

The secrets of the world's most expensive ornamental fish were uncovered using molecular tools at the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) and the fish of mainboard-listed Qian Hu, during a five-year research project.

Their discoveries on breeding habits have led to a doubling in fish production.

'In the second year alone, it was a 50 per cent increase and each year since then, its been a 20 to 30 per cent increase on the previous year's broods,' said lead researcher at TLL, Mr Alex Chang.

Qian Hu managing director Kenny Yap said the group produces a third, or about 10,000 of the world's supply of this freshwater fish each year.

The studies were conducted on close to 230 adult fish which had their genetic fingerprints put under the microscope.

'Knowing which fish have paired up could reduce breeding costs, because we can bring smaller numbers of fish together in a single small pond,' said Mr Yap. It can also guarantee customers who pay thousands of dollars for a fry complete information on the pedigree.

Traditional breeding methods have been hit-and-miss because farmers cannot tell one sex from another, let alone which fish have formed pairs. Breeding patterns are also hard to predict.

'Most are monogamous, with the odd few going astray or preferring complete celibacy, much like humans,' said Mr Yap.

To achieve the most prized characteristics and increase the baby count, the next phase of the research will use 'in-vitro' fertilisation. This will guarantee specific characteristics are carried by lineage.

'Within reason, we'll be able to give the buyers what they want - bigger fins, brighter colour, favoured shape of head,' Mr Yap said. The company is investing another $3 million over the next three years, on top of the initial sum of $1 million, to start a research centre in Sungei Tengah next year.

Mr Chang, Qian Hu's first formal scientific scholar, will head the facility, which will have 32 ponds. Two-thirds will be for breeding while a third will be for research.

Professor Peter Ng, director of the Tropical Marine Science Institute, said findings could change the conservation landscape for this species. 'Of the red, green and silver arowana in the wild, the red is most endangered. There is a chance it is a separate species and if this is proven through the genetic tests, more must be done to protect them.'

With Qian Hu's expected jump in arowana production, stocks in the wild could be replenished, said Mr Chang.

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Tracing the lineage and habits