Ornamental Fish International

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Ornamental Fish International

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Ornamental Fish International (OFI) represents the interests of the international ornamental fish industry.

Ornamental Fish International (OFI) was founded on 1 June 1980 at a meeting held in Rome by a dedicated group of people who were unhappy and concerned at the state of the international ornamental aquatic industry at the time. One of the main aims that arose out of that original meeting was to improve all-round standards. This still remains a central part of our organisation today, as - despite the many major developments that have taken place over the years - there is always room for further improvement. Since its launch, OFI has expanded steadily and we now have members in 38 countries in the major fish exporting and importing nations. Members include wholesalers, collectors, breeders, retailers, importers, exporters, consultants, manufacturers, publishers, plant specialists, freight forwarders, airlines, exhibition companies, and university departments. As such, we represent the international aquatic industry in all its aspects. Some of our members are individuals, while others include some of the largest ornamental fish farms in the world, as well as leading wholesalers. What they all have in common, irrespective of their size or specialisation, is that they are directly or indirectly involved in one sector or other of the international ornamental aquatic industry.

03/11/2026

Session 3: AI is already changing how we breed, sell and talk about fish

AI tools are already on shrimp farms and in shop systems. Hobbyists find and buy through short video and livestreams. And captive breeding keeps pushing what's possible.

Danilo Ronchi (DaniReef): online communities to digital commerce
Leo Kuo (ShareQA): AI in Amano shrimp production
Ran Epsteen (Colors Farm): aquaponics, solar and sustainable farming
He Chuan: innovation in goldfish breeding
Liam Hsueh (STB Clownfish Farm): clownfish breeding at scale
James Lin (Creative Way Global): AI for aquarium retail
Live panel and convention close

Saturday 14 November · CIPS Guangzhou · Free for CIPS attendees
https://www.ofish.org/CIPS-3rd-Aquatic-Industry-Convention

Source: FAO, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026.

02/11/2026

Speaker spotlight: Lin Jinqing, Aquascape Café

A space designer with more than 20 years in our industry, Lin founded Aquascape Café. It puts natural aquascapes, specialty coffee, family DIY workshops and aquarium retail in one room. He believes aquascaping plus leisure gives bricks-and-mortar shops a way out of price competition.

Bringing Underwater Forests into Café: A Breakthrough Path for Cross-Industry Aquatic Retail.

Friday 13 November, 16:30

01/11/2026

Speaker spotlight: Shamjith Shajahan, Sreepadma Aqua Flora

Shamjith is Vice-President of Sreepadma Aqua Flora, a major producer of aquatic plants. He has worked with aquatic plants since 2015 and specialises in tissue-culture propagation. He argues it's the environmentally responsible alternative to wild collection.

Growing the Aquarium Market: How Social Media Is Driving Aquatic Plant Retail Success in India.

Friday 13 November, 16:00

31/10/2026

Speaker spotlight: Zhang Kai, OFI Chapter for Butterfly Koi - Asia

Zhang Kai has bred butterfly koi for eight years and developed new varieties, including the "Flame Red Panda" and heavy-ink types. He sells through short video and livestream, campaigns for clear grading standards, and this year became a CIPS-certified international judge.

He chairs the new OFI Chapter for Butterfly Koi - Asia, which is formally signed on the convention's opening afternoon.

Koi Butterfly – Breeding for Retail Excellence.

Friday 13 November, 15:30

30/10/2026

Speaker spotlight: Oh Sang-jin, AquaTale

Oh Sang-jin is founder and CEO of AquaTale, an aquarium retail and aquatic landscaping business. He specialises in moss and pond aquascaping and in medaka, and runs regular workshops and seminars. His talk is about the shop that becomes a place people want to spend time.

Beyond the Aquarium Store: Building a Modern Aquatic Lifestyle Business.

Friday 13 November, 15:00

29/10/2026

Speaker spotlight: Balázs Farkas, Green Aqua

Balázs co-founded Green Aqua, one of the leading aquascaping retailers and galleries anywhere. A former filmmaker, he built Green Aqua's YouTube channel to more than 600,000 subscribers, combining retail, education and content into one business.

How Aquascaping Transformed the European Aquarium Market.

Friday 13 November, 14:30

28/10/2026

Speaker spotlight: Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou, EHEIM

As Managing Director of EHEIM, Ibrahim works across digital products, experiential retail and partner development. He will look at how connected technology can help the specialist shop rather than replace it.

From Product Shelf to Experience Platform: Retail Innovation in Connected Aquatics.

Friday 13 November, 14:00

27/10/2026

Session 2: specialist aquarium shops are gaining ground

In the US, specialist fish stores are gaining share (APPA 2025). The shops that are winning sell an experience: aquascape galleries, workshops, cafés and communities.

Day 2 is about the business models that work, from the people running them:

Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou (EHEIM)
Balázs Farkas (Green Aqua)
Oh Sang-jin (AquaTale)
Zhang Kai (OFI Chapter for Butterfly Koi - Asia)
Shamjith Shajahan (Sreepadma Aqua Flora)
Lin Jinqing (Aquascape Café)
Plus the OFI Retail Excellence and Emerging Aquatic Species award winners

Friday 13 November, from 13:30 · CIPS Guangzhou · Free for CIPS attendees
https://www.ofish.org/CIPS-3rd-Aquatic-Industry-Convention

Source: APPA National Pet Owners Survey 2025 (US only).

26/10/2026

Two OFI awards, presented on stage on Friday 13 November

For the first time, the OFI Aquarium Retail Excellence Award recognises the aquarium shops that set the standard for our industry. The judges look at sustainability, innovation, expertise, education, community engagement, shop aesthetics and after-sales support.

The OFI Emerging Aquatic Species Award recognises new and emerging species, captive-bred or responsibly sourced, with real commercial potential.

The winners are announced at 13:35 on Friday 13 November, opening Session 2. Come and see who they are.

25/10/2026

Speaker spotlight: Nathalie Gamain

Nathalie has worked across the ornamental aquatic supply chain for nearly 25 years. She has been OFI's voice on EU affairs since 2016 and is Secretary General of the European Pet Organization. She joins us online.

Navigating the European Ornamental Aquatic Market: Current Developments, EU Regulatory Trends and What They Mean for Exporters.

Thursday 12 November, 16:00

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