North Eastern India is gifted with vast freshwater resources in the form of rivers, streams, beels, lakes, ponds, swamps etc along with rich in native fish fauna under Barbs, Danio, Gouramy, Glass fish, Loach and Snakeheads. About 250 fish species have been found to have ornamental value with various attractive characteristics, which are kept as pets in confined space of garden pool or an aquarium for fun and fancy. The fish species of NEH states are treated as Indian Aquarium Fish due to their different ornamental value like Beautiful colour (e.g. Channa barca, Trichogaster lalius, Pseudecheneies sulcatus, Botia berdmorei, Tetraodon cutcutia), Transparent body (e.g. Parambassis lala, P. ranga, Pseudambassis baculis), Attractive appearance (e.g. Chitala chitala), Keeled abdomen (e.g Chela laubuca), Stripes and banding pattern (e.g. Botia rostrata, B. dario, Brachydanio rerio, Schistura reticulofasciatus), Peaceful nature and calm behaviour (e.g. Ctenops nobilis, Nandus nandus), Hardiness (e.g. Danio dangila, Danio rerio, Anabas testudineus), Compatibility (e.g. Puntius shalynius), Beautiful jumping behaviour (e.g. Esomus danricus, Chela laubuca, Salmostoma bacaila), Chameleonic habit (e.g. Dario dario, Badis badis, Puntius shalynius), longevity (e.g, Anabas testudineous, Channa stewarti) and Charming predatory habit (e.g. Channa gachua, C. striatus, C.marulius, Glossogobius giuris). Some of regularly exported freshwater indigenous ornamental fishes are Dario dario, Badis badis, Botia striata, Channa aurantomaculatus, Danio rerio, Esomus danricus, Puntius shalynius, Pethia gelius etc.
Domestication of the wild collection has been done through manipulation of habitat requirement, food type and water quality parameter. Study revealed that dietary intervention plays an important role and triggered for enhancing captive maturity. For breeding under captivity healthy mature fish with proper identification and sexing are important. Manipulation in rearing environment also plays important role for successful domestication, maturity and breeding under captivity. Some important parameter includes suitable substratum, water flow, water depth, water area, water quality parameter including pH, temperature and hardness, body weight, right food and feeding, number of male vs. female etc. The database on breeding in captivity would help for conservation of the fish stock and development of ornamental fishery of NEH region along with diversified option for livelihood improvements.