(Yicai Global) Sept. 7 -- Shanghai's recreational aquaculture sector is flourishing on profits generated by low costs and an increased interest to host easy pets.

The annual output value of the aquatic animals industry in Shanghai reached CNY1.8 billion (USD263.1 million), data from the Shanghai Municipal Agriculture Commission show.

The culture of aquariums such as ornamental fish features low investment, small land occupation, fast turnover and high efficiency, experts said. The average yield per hectare can exceed over CNY150,000 (USD21,900), which is generally 10 times the output of freshwater fish farming.

The most outstanding characteristics of a pet who lives in an aquarium is that it is quiet and does not disturb people, visitors at Shanghai's International Leisure Aquarium Exhibition said today.

Editor: Emmi Laine