Nearly 40 varieties of guppy fishes (Poecilia reticulata) from breeders across the country were exhibited at the national-level competition held in various categories at Pollachi on Saturday. Organisers said that it was the first national-level competition for guppy held in the country.

More than 70 breeders from various parts of the country, including Kolkata and New Delhi, took part. The venue was Nikanth Aquaculture at Pollachi.

Breeder A. Prabhu from Chennai was adjudged as grand champion of the competition.

Dinesh P. from Coimbatore, Dinesh Kumar V.L. from Coimbatore, Abjit M. from Kozhikode, and Vimal Kumar V. from Alapuzha won prizes in the best breeder category. Nikanth M.D., and Sagarika M.A. from Pollachi and Riyaz Ahamed from Coimbatore were selected as breeders in the junior category.

Organisers said that Siju Cherian from Cherai in Ernakulam, first person from India to judge international level competitions from June, selected the winners.

Marks were given to the fishes of different varieties based on their body, shapes of dorsal fin, caudal fin, colour and symmetry of patterns on body. Known for feeding mosquito larvae, some varieties of guppy are released in fresh water for controlling mosquito breeding. “The competition was held to boost the local breeders of the fish. As an ornamental fish, guppies have good market value and breeders in States like Kerala are even exporting them. The competition also helped introduce new varieties to breeders here,” said Dinesh Kumar V.L., one of the organisers.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Staff Reporter / Coimbatore – April 16th, 2018