Colombia’s Guainia department is considered the capital of ornamental fish. Located in the Amazon region, Guainia—meaning Land of Many Waters in the local indigenous Yuri language—is home to 60 percent of the 521 fish species authorized for sale in Colombia. Although controversial, this practice can benefit both the local economy and ecosystems.
Guainia, the heart of the ornamental fish business in Colombia
Guainia’s ornamental fish businesses rely on the Inirida River, a tributary of the Amazon. Due to the region’s isolation, this business is crucial for the area. “After traveling almost all over the country, I accidentally ended up here (…) and saw so many fish; I believe this is the place with the most ornamental fish in Colombia,” says Ernesto Rojas, a local businessman, to AFP.
As a megadiverse country, Colombia hosts 2,105 fish species, making it the eleventh most biodiverse country for these species globally.
From Guainia, the fish are sent to Bogota, where they are distributed worldwide, reaching markets in the US, Europe, and Asia. As with any internationalized business, the price disparities between local producers and the final purchase can be staggering. In the case of the Altum Angelfish (Pterophyllum altum), endemic to the region, the fish goes from an initial transaction of $2 (8,000 pesos) to up to $150 in the US.
According to the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority of Colombia, around 526 tons of fish were exported in 2023, generating six million dollars in revenue.
A controversial but necessary practice
Ornamental fish trade has been pointed out by NGOs and environmental activisits as potentially destructive for the local ecosystems. “For ornamental fish, the sheer volume of exports raises concerns that the trade might not be sustainable for fish populations. And history shows that overexploitation is a likely scenario,” declared the WWF to the AFP.
While the lure of profit could lead to the overexploitation of ecosystems, responsible practices motivated by economic incentives can promote awareness of the need to protect nature.
“Ornamental fishing is one of the strongest sectors in the local economy and productive structure. It’s a regulated business with very good practices,” stated Oscar Javier Parra, director of the local environmental authority, to AFP. Indeed, local authorities have imposed a ban on the activity in April and June, aligning with the reproductive period.
Parra even asserts, “If this asset of ornamental fish were to be prohibited, it would be worse for the environment.”
Guainia is one of Colombia’s most underdeveloped regions, with a Human Development Index of 0.661, comparable to Cape Verde. Economic opportunities are scarce, and aside from fishing, there are few sustainable and profitable activities. Those that are, like gold mining or poaching, pose severe environmental risks.