Kochi, April 26 (IANS): The Kochi-headquartered Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) successfully developed the seed production technology of a food fish, a marine ornamental fish and a marine ornamental shrimp which has huge commercial value in the export market.

It took the scientists two years to develop these at the Thiruvananthapuram-based Research Centre of the CMFRI at Vizhinjam, using the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) facility.

A scientific team led by M.K. Anil, scientist-in-charge of Vizhinjam Research Centre of CMFRI, developed the breeding technology which is expected to boost the mariculture industry and seafood exports.

The high valued food fish (Lethrinus lentjan) has superior flesh qualities that attains a growth of up to 2 kg and fetches Rs 400 to 600 per kg in the domestic market.

According to Anil, in the wake of dwindling catch of the species, the breeding technology will help the country boost the production of the species through mariculture activities such as cage fish farming.

Marcia's anthias (Pseudanthias Marcia), a high value marine ornamental fish, is the second fish variety for which seed production technology has been developed at the research centre.

"This species is one of the most expensive reef fishes traded in the marine aquarium export market and fetches around $30 per fish in international market", said Anil, adding that standardisation of larval rearing protocol of this species was also developed successfully.

The ornamental shrimp, also known as 'Camel Shrimp', grows up to 4-5 cm in length and fetches $10-12 in the international market, while it is sold at Rs 500-700 per piece in the local market.