Jan 18, 1999
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MADURAI Piscean Passion Exotic ornamental fish. That's what this one-of-a-kind breeder specialises in. By L R Jagadheesan Meenakshi. The Goddess with fish eyes. Ruling deity of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The consort of Shiva is believed to have been born here and the Pandya kings who ruled the region for many years used the fish as their royal symbol. Even today the temple city's piscean association is alive -- of all places at a farm tucked away on its outskirts. The 10-acre farm is a veritable temple for aquarium enthusiasts. The only one of its kind in the country, it is a breeding centre for a variety of ornamental fish which are sought the world over: Aravana, Red Billy, Jain Gowrami, Moon Light Gowrami, Ascar, Red Devil, Rainbow Shark, Tinboil Barbs. "After finding that the golden fishlings bred here are parasite-free, ornamental fish dealers from the US and Netherlands have ordered one crore fishlings from us," says a proud Kirubakaran, the 44-year-old owner of the farm.
The centre may not have the capacity to meet such a large order but matters of quantity do not bother Kirubakaran. While there are much bigger ornamental fish breeding farms in Calcutta, Mumbai and Kerala, Kirubakaran's USP is that his is the only farm where the maximum varieties -- as many as 350 exotic species -- of ornamental fish are found. Of the 36 strains of golden fish available in the world market, 24 can be found here. The farm is also home to 35 kinds of the coveted Japanese Koy. With a lifespan of 120 years, this variety is otherwise bred by a select few in China, Japan and the UK. Koy breeders generally take part in the yearly world championship contests where the fish can fetch fortunes -- in 1995, the winner Koy was sold for Rs 1.25 crore -- but the perfectionist in Kirubakaran has prevented him from taking part so far. "We are trying to create the best colours through cross-breeding," he says. In other words, he would like to present nothing but the best when he eventually participates in a couple of years' time. Kirubakaran's piscean passion began 32 years ago. He remembers how as a 12-year-old he had been visiting his friend Damodaran in Chennai. The little boy found himself drawn to an aquarium full of "colourful" fish. He could barely take his eyes off them. Amused, Damodaran's father, Iyengar mama (uncle), took an Amulspray tin, filled it up with water and put a pair of Blue Gowrami in it. And to Kirubakaran's delight told him he could take them. Back home, the Blue Gowrami were nurtured as pets. Barring the time when he was in school, Kirubakaran was always by their side. The pair multiplied and the little fishlings were accommodated in mud pots, Horlicks bottles, plastic jars, anything that could hold water. Soon the population became too much to handle. Someone suggested that the fishlings be sold in the local Moor Market. But when Kirubakaran went there, no one took him seriously. Finally, an uncle, Amalraj, bought 100 Blue Gowrami for Rs 10. That was the beginning of a flourishing business for Kirubakaran and he now earns about Rs 1 lakh a month. Commercial considerations apart, the man has a way with the fish. And it's almost as if they are aware of it. Some Japanese Koy, for instance, come rushing towards him, nibbling at his fingers when he puts them into the tank. A sensitive master, he has not oiled his hair all these years. Reason: if he absent-mindedly put his oily hands into the water, he could leave a film of oil that could affect the oxygen supply. To date, he personally oversees the upkeep of the fish and can instantly sense it if any of them is unwell. "They get diseases just like us," he says, preferring to treat, even operate on them himself. It doesn't matter that he is not a formally qualified expert. "Thirty-two years of experience is the greatest qualification," he says. No wonder even university students come to him for help. But what Kirubakaran enjoys the most is educating the steady stream of schoolchildren who have made his farm a picnic spot. As an added attraction, he has a mini zoo on the premises which houses a crocodile, a scorpion, 10 varieties of poultry, 15 strains of pigeons, ducks and a host of dogs. Anything to bring in more children. "The fish just love to have them around," he says. Fortunately, the fish-speak is not lost on the young ones. |
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