Kelantan: What was once a simple hobby - breeding ornamental fighting fish (Betta) - has evolved into a thriving income opportunity, with the potential to generate thousands of ringgit overnight, especially for local youths. Although it began on a small scale, local Betta fish entrepreneurs and breeders have found that this business can provide highly stable economic returns when managed with the right systems and methods.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, entrepreneur Muhammad Izzad Haikal Mansor, 38, said that more youths in Kelantan are venturing into this field due to its very low startup cost and relatively simple maintenance. 'With a capital of only around RM50 to RM100, a person can already purchase a pair of breeding stock. The care process is also much easier compared with other ornamental fish, as it does not require an oxygen pump system. Breeders only use tube water (bore water) or well water,' he told Bernama at the Kelantan Ornamental Fish and Aquaculture Festival 2026 held here recently.
According to him, the commercial value of Betta fish is determined based on grade, colour, and fin quality. For the regular market, they can be sold for as low as RM5 to RM10 each. However, for hybrid breeds with competition specifications such as Multi-colour and Any Other Colour (AOC) strains, prices can reach an average of RM600 to RM700. 'During the Movement Control Order period (COVID-19 pandemic), I once sold a fighting fish that won a competition for RM1,500. In fact, some local breeders have managed to earn between RM2,000 and RM3,000 in a single night just by going live on social media to sell their fish,' he said.
He said strong industry demand has created unique side-income opportunities, with live feed like mosquito larvae in high demand to promote growth and enhance Betta fish colouration. 'There was even a local resident who recorded earnings of up to RM300 a day simply by collecting and selling mosquito larvae from drains to breeders at RM10 per pack,' he added.
Muhammad Izzad Haikal said that producing a champion-grade fish requires a great deal of patience. He explained that the grooming process takes around four months, during which breeders must treat the water using 'daun ketapang' (Indian almond leaves) to replicate the natural peat swamp habitat, while also providing a rotating diet of pellet feed and mosquito larvae. 'In addition, the productivity of this species is extremely high. A pair can produce between 100 and 300 fry at any one time,' he said.
Despite the success of the domestic market, he noted that local breeders face difficulties exporting their fish to international markets compared to neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. 'In Malaysia, our breeding expertise is highly recognised - we have more than 260 registered genetic mutation strains. However, our main challenge lies in strict regulations and quarantine requirements for the movement of live animals. In contrast, countries like Thailand impose fewer restrictions, allowing breeders to export directly to global markets such as the United States and China. We hope the relevant authorities will review these requirements to better align with current needs, enabling us to compete more effectively,' he said.
In terms of local support, he added that the Department of Fisheries consistently assists breeders by providing basic infrastructure such as racks and fish containers upon application. According to him, with large-scale fighting fish competitions being held almost every weekend across the country, the industry not only promises sustainable opportunities for digital entrepreneurs but also places Malaysia firmly on the international ornamental fish map.