Hamedan – Iran’s western Hamedan Province produces more than five million ornamental fish each year, according to the Acting Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources at the Hamedan Agricultural Organization.

 

Mohammad Karam Moradi said recently that the ornamental fish are cultivated across 37 aquaculture units in the province, 10 of which operate industrially, while the remaining units are small-scale or home-based enterprises.

 

He noted that approximately 80 percent of the province’s ornamental fish are produced in Hamedan County, with additional production in the cities of Malayer, Nahavand, Tuyserkan, and Famenin. “On average, every 50,000 ornamental fish produced supports one full-time job,” he added.

 

Moradi highlighted the significant growth of ornamental fish farming in recent years, identifying goldfish,cichlids,guppies, and flowerhorns as the most commonly bred species in the region.

 

Describing ornamental fish farming as a low-cost, high-return enterprise, he emphasized its role in generating income and employment, particularly for rural women. “The formation of ornamental fish farming clusters has played a key role in empowering rural women and expanding local economies,” he said.