Ornamental fish production is one of the important sectors in the aquaculture industry. Indonesia has shown a great improvement in the trade of ornamental fish exports in the last decade, growing 69.64% per year. However, t he common challenges identified can be categorized into four: production-related issues, market/economy, technology adoption, and other problems.
This study discusses the production of perspective broodstock of ‘Balong’ fish (Premnas biaculeatus The juveniles, which had been produced from the hatchery, were reared at sea in a f loating c age of 1 m x 1m (mesh size 1,5mm) covered by 3m x 3m x 3m net (mesh size 1cm) for security with t he stocking density of each cage being 200 fish. Feeding is carried out in a controlled manner at least 2 times a day in the morning and afternoon until the fry is full using fresh feed and commercial pellet feed. Health management involves minimizing excessive feeding, replacing the dirty nets with clean ones regularly, and soaking the fish in freshwater once a month. After a 4-month day of culture , the fish reached 5 - 6 cm in total length. Then, fish were sorted, graded, and selected to discover the best shape/ physical performance of the fish to be a perspective broodstock .