ICAR-CCARI organised Awareness and Exposure Programme on Ornamental Fish Keeping for School Students under National Fish Farmers Day 2025

            An Awareness and Exposure Programme on Ornamental Fish Keeping was organized on 9^th July 2025 at Sharada Mandir School, Kadamba, Old Goa, by ICAR-CCARI, Goa as part of the celebration of National Fish Farmers Day 2025. The objective of the programme was to introduce school children to the fascinating world of ornamental fish keeping and to promote awareness on aquatic biodiversity, responsible pet fish management, and the potential of ornamental fish culture as a livelihood avenue. Over 150 participants including students, staff and ornamental fish farmers were present for the event. The programme began with a formal welcome by the school representative, followed by a lecture on “Introduction to Aquarium Fishes” by Shri Trivesh Mayekar, Scientist (FGB). The lecture highlighted the diversity of aquarium fishes, their characteristics, care requirements, and the scope of ornamental fishkeeping in India. It also covered essential basics of aquarium management, such as glass tank fabrication, aquarium setup, filtration systems, aeration units, decorative accessories, and fish compatibility. A live demonstration on aquarium setup and maintenance was then conducted by Shri Trivesh Mayekar, during which students observed the step-by-step process of preparing and decorating a functional aquarium. Students also participated in a hands-on session where they got the opportunity to set up aquarium tanks themselves under expert guidance, learning about water conditioning, aeration, and selection of ornamental fish species. An interactive Fish Quiz was conducted to reinforce key concepts in an engaging manner, followed by a student-scientist interaction session where students asked questions and shared their curiosity about aquarium fish and fishkeeping practices. To make the programme more impactful, ornamental fish farmers from Mapusa and Parra were invited to the event. They set up a mini-expo for students, displaying a variety of ornamental fish species, aquatic plants, decorative substrates, lighting systems, and aquarium accessories. This exhibition helped students gain practical exposure and observe firsthand the diversity and equipment involved in ornamental fishkeeping. A creative activity—a drawing session—encouraged students to visually express their imagination on aquarium fishes, followed by the distribution of informative posters and leaflets on ornamental fish keeping. The initiative not only enhanced awareness among students on ornamental fisheries but also aimed to cultivate early interest in aquatic sciences and conservation. The event was well received by students and teachers alike and contributed to ICAR-CCARI’s ongoing commitment to science outreach and youth engagement. The programme was coordinated by Shri Trivesh Mayekar, Scientist (FGB), Dr. Sreekanth G. B., Senior Scientist (FRM), Mr. Vishwajeet Prajapati, Technical Officer; Mr. Dilkush Velip, Technical Assistant (T3), Mr. Harshvardhan Shetye, Young Professional (Fisheries Science); and Mr. Suyash Patil, Research Associate.