THE ornamental fish trade is weathering the global economic slowdown with no tattered fins, according to speakers at Aquarama 2009.

National Development Parliamnetary Secretary Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, guest of honour at the biennial international exhibition held at Suntec, said Singapore's ornamental fish exports is still 'doing relatively well'.

In the first four months, the monthly average value of exports was $8 million - hardly changed from last year's.

Dr Maliki said Singapore must look beyond the downturn to stay competitive.

'It is heartening to note that our ornamental fish industry runs its own R&D initiatives,' he said in his speech on Thursday.

For instance, improved packing know-how has raised transport survival rates from 78 per cent before 2001 to 99 per cent today, he noted.

Ornamental Fish International concurred. Mr Gerald Bassleer, president of the 200-member worldwide trade body, noted that the aquarium hobby has been pretty recession-proof.

'For example, in countries such as Spain, Scandinavia and Belgium, people were travelling less and staying at home more, and spending more on their aquariums,' he said. But he observed that sales of more expensive fishes, such as arowanas, are 'under pressure'.

Mr Kenny Yap, chairman of Singapore's Ornamental Fish Business Cluster, described the tropical fish industry as 'relatively resilient'.

'This is a niche industry, and one that deals in products which have emotional attachments,' he said.

The economic downturn, however, has hit Aquarama, which has been held here since 1989. This year's event drew about 160 participating companies from 23 countries, down from 200 from 27 countries in 2007.

This year's show - on till Sunday - also incorporates Pet Asia to make up the shortfall of traditional exhibitors.