| Summary: | Malaysia is the world’s major producer and exporter of ornamental fish, contributing 9% to the global trade and taking the second position after Singapore. Because of their artistic appeal and tremendous commercial value for international
trade, ornamental fish recently gain rapid importance for foreign exchange and as a source of employment. While
ornamental fish production is growing, there is an increase in infectious diseases, resulting in high fish mortality with
significant economic loss. Bacterial disease is a serious problem for ornamental fish industry. Bacterial species surveillance
in diseased freshwater ornamental fish from an aquarium shop reveals that Aeromonas hydrophila is the most dominant
bacteria isolated. Consequently, Malaysia is stepping up its efforts by implementing the Economic Transformation
Program and other biosecurity steps to address the aquaculture issues and encourage the regrowth of the ornamental fish
market. Chemotherapeutic medications, phytobiotics, probiotics, yeast extracts, vaccines, and disinfectants can be used in
controlling bacteria. Further studies should be done to find new antibacterial agents from natural sources to combat bacterial
fish diseases and reduce fish mortality rate in sustainable aquaculture farms. This review summarizes the literature on
ornamental fish industries and aquaculture production in relation to A. hydrophila-associated diseases and ornamental fish
health management in Malaysia.
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