Mexico has a huge diversity of freshwater fishes , with at least 160 species, including 50 genders and 30 families, mainly located in the south eastern part
of the country. Of these, just a few of them have been studied and developed for aquaculture, however, not even this very few have been fully utilised for regional aquaculture advance , despite the fact that they could be grown using the already existing Tilapia facilities, hence, could be used as a mean to increase, diversify and improve production and benefits for many fish farmers.
Aquaculture research of native species with potential in aquaculture in Mexico began in the earlys 80´s, involving many institutions and personnel, th is led to the organization of national and international Seminars in 1988, 1994 and 2006. Results showed that there was aquaculture technology for some of the big cichlids and the gar , as well as the many ecological and socioeconomical benefits of their exploitation. Market was also a matter, as prices were always higher than tilapia and demand was often unsatisfied, for instance.
Today, all the reasons that were argued as beneficial for native fish culture not only remain but have been increased, e.g., fisheries supply is shorter, prices continue to rise as well as the consumer demand. In addition, aquaculture as a sector has also grown in the region, so we have more and better feeds, technicians, services and growing facilities.
This paper presents regional examples were the culture of Castarrica
Cichlasoma urophthalmus , Paleta Vieja
sinspyla and Gar Atractosteus
tropicus as well as fisheries restocking programs including this species and tilapia can be a sustainable and very profitable aquaculture alternative for the region. Special emphasis is given to point out some of the many technological, marketing and economical strengths of the culture of this native fishes.