Fish Farming: Top 30 Fish Species We Recommend to Grow & Sell in Thailand

Thinking about starting a fish farm in Thailand or expanding the species you already grow? 🌞🌿 With the country’s warm climate, strong demand, and booming aquaculture and sport-fishing industries, choosing the right species can make all the difference.

Here’s our curated list of the Top 30 fish species we recommend for farming, stocking, or selling across Thailand — chosen for profitability, demand, growth rate, and suitability for local conditions. 👇

⭐ 1️⃣ Tilapia (Nile Tilapia)

Fast-growing, hardy, huge demand in markets & restaurants.

⭐ 2️⃣ Catfish (Hybrid / Clarias spp.)

Excellent growth rate, strong local consumption.

⭐ 3️⃣ Giant Mekong Catfish

Highly profitable for sport-fishing lakes; fast growth in warm water.

⭐ 4️⃣ Giant Siamese Carp (Giant Barb)

Top-tier specimen species with long-term value.

⭐ 5️⃣ Rohu / Indian Carp

Popular in local cuisine and strong grow-on potential.

⭐ 6️⃣ Silver Barb (Pla Nin Thong)

Fast growers and widely consumed.

⭐ 7️⃣ Striped Snakehead

High market value in Thai cuisine.

⭐ 8️⃣ Barramundi (Asian Sea Bass)

Fast-growing predator with great resale value.

⭐ 9️⃣ Pacu

Hardy, fast-growing, popular in lakes.

⭐ 🔟 Arapaima One of the most profitable species for specimen fish farms.

⭐ 11. Redtail Catfish

Huge demand for sport fishing lakes; grows quickly.

⭐ 12. Tiger Catfish / Tiger Shovel Nose

Popular predatory species for mixed lakes.

⭐ 13. Alligator Gar

High-value predator with strong visual appeal.

⭐ 14. Asian Arowana (Red/Gold)

Premium ornamental fish with excellent resale price.

⭐ 15. Koi Carp

Massive demand for ponds & ornamental buyers.

⭐ 16. Common Carp

Great for grow-out farms and stocking reservoirs.

⭐ 17. Mirror Carp / European Carp Strains

Exceptional for specimen lakes and hybrid breeding.

⭐ 18. Pangasius Catfish

Commercially important for food markets.

⭐ 19. Mahseer (Golden / Blue / Indian)

High-end species with sport-fishing value.

⭐ 20. Snakehead Emperor (Channa spp.)

Increasing popularity in exports and domestic consumption.

⭐ 21. Gourami (Giant / Pearl / Kissing)

Great for ornamental and food markets.

⭐ 22. Clown Featherback (Knifefish)

Excellent resale value and popular in sport lakes.

⭐ 23. Featherback Pla Krabok

Strong demand locally for cuisine and export.

⭐ 24. Toman (Giant Snakehead)

Fast-growing alpha predator with high angler appeal.

⭐ 25. Bream (Various Asian Species)

Good for mixed fishery stocking.

⭐ 26. Tilapia Red Strain

High-value colour variant with restaurant demand.

⭐ 27. Carp Hybrids

High-growth and ideal for creating new specimen lines.

⭐ 28. Marble Goby (Pla Chon Thong)

One of Thailand’s most expensive food fish per kg.

⭐ 29. Gourami Osphronemus (Giant Gourami)

High-value market species with strong growth.

⭐ 30. Amazon Predators (Hybrid Cats, Dorado, Payara)

Premium exotics for high-end lakes and collectors.

🌟 Final Cast

Whether you’re farming commercial table fish, high-value ornamentals, or premium specimen species for Thailand’s booming fishing-lake industry, these 30 species offer outstanding potential. 🇹🇭🐠

Each brings something unique — fast growth, strong market demand, or high resale value. With Thailand’s climate and aquaculture-friendly environment, now is the perfect time to expand your species list and maximise your farm’s profitability.

Thinking about starting or scaling your fish farm?