Students of Sultan Qaboos University achieve hatching trial of stunning fish

Astudent research group at the Department of Marine Science and Fisheries of the College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University achieved successful hatching trial for the electric blue crayfish.

The experiment took place in the Department of Marine Science at SQU under the supervision of Dr. Gilha Yoon. The experiments were performed by the student research group setting the breeding system for the crayfish together with the hatchery, breeding behaviours and the proper environmental factors.

The electric blue crayfish is one of the most remarkable freshwater ornamental species. It has a splash of blue colour that draws attention of aquarists and is quite sought-after in the fish industry. However, the crayfish that comes to Oman are imported from many countries and their price is approximately OMR 10 per adult crayfish pair, when purchased from pet shops.

This trial is very important, according to the leader of the research group, Maryam Al Sawafi.

“As far as I know this is the first hatching trial of the electric blue crayfish in Oman,” she said. “By this trial, we want to help the ornamental fish industry to prosper, because whenever you go to any ornamental fish shop you notice that most of the species are either exported from outside or they are wild. We really want to help the Omani aquaculture industry to expand their diversity of income sources.”

She further said that many people think aquaculture is only to produce food fish but the female electric blue crayfish carrying eggs is worth more than OMR 200. Another student research group member Ahmed Al Kiyumi, said that their research group has been growing many ornamental

The electric blue crayfish is one of the most remarkable freshwater ornamental species. It has a splash of blue colour that draws attention of aquarists and is quite sought-after in the fish industry.

species which are quite in demand outside the region as aquatic pets and also for conservation of wild population like the Omani clown fish and zebra fish, which are in demand in the medical field. Supervisor Dr. Yoon said that the ornamental fish hatcheries were suitable for family-scale businesses. “If the government supports start-up investment and SQU assists in technical aspects then we can create many small businesses. From breeding to trade, these would create many jobs in Oman and finally enrich national revenue,” he said. “Hopefully my students will learn advanced lab and field skills to prepare themselves as independent researchers or businessmen so that they can devote their time especially for the fishery and fish related sectors that are developing now in Oman,” he said.