SOFAA

🐟💖 A tiny jewel of our rivers, the Cherry Barb lives in shaded streams and ponds of Sri Lanka, especially around Kelani and Nilwala basins. Calm waters and green cover are their safe home. 🌿💧

They are active schooling fish that bring life and color to our freshwater habitats. 🌈🐠

But today, their survival is at risk. Habitat loss, pollution, sand mining, invasive species, and overfishing for the aquarium trade are pushing them towards decline. 🚫🌱

It’s on us to protect them. By caring for our rivers, choosing captive-bred fish, and spreading awareness, we can keep the Cherry Barb swimming free for generations to come. 🌊💚✨

Caption by: Dithara Geeganage
Edited by: Sandupama Liyanage

Dolphinfish, or mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), is a fast-growing, short-lived pelagic fish prized for its firm, white, delicate-flavoured meat 🍽️. Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, it’s popular in the U.S., Caribbean, Japan, and beyond 🌊🎣.

This versatile fish can be broiled, poached, or grilled, making it a favourite for many culinary dishes. Mahi-mahi supports both commercial and recreational fisheries thanks to its high food value and rapid reproduction 🐟🌏.

🎨: Chanuga Denuk
✍️ :Esandi Thilakarathna

Warmest welcome to the newly appointed Executive Board and committee members of the 'Society of Fisheries and Aquaculture - SOFAA for the academic year 2025-2026! ❤️🥳

As you begin your new roles, we extend our heartfelt wishes for your success. 🩵✨

May you all have the strength and the very best of luck. Build upon the great work of your predecessors, and bring new ideas that will make the forthcoming year a truly memorable one in the history of SOFAA. 🌟

Once again, a warm welcome and all the best for this new chapter of SOFAA! ✨







🎨: B.A.I.V.Laksh*tha
✍️: Sandupama Liyanage

💫 Honouring a Guiding Light ✨

With deep appreciation, we salute Mrs. R.D.N. Wijesinghe, Senior Lecturer at the Dept of Fisheries and Aquaculture, for her remarkable service to our faculty 🎓 and SOFAA.🌊🐟

Your leadership lit the way, and your passion left a lasting mark on us all. 🌟

As you step into a new chapter abroad, our warmest wishes follow you. 💐

Thank you for everything you've given — your legacy remains. 🌿

Post by - Nishara Vithana
Caption by - Chethani Amarasekara

Tetra Fish : Jewels of the Aquarium! ✨🐟

Tetras are small, vibrant fish that love to swim in groups 🏃‍♂🏃‍♀. They thrive in well-planted tanks with clean, stable water (75–82°F, pH 6.0–7.0) and need plenty of space to explore.

These peaceful swimmers enjoy a balanced diet of flakes, live, or frozen foods 🍽—just feed small amounts once or twice a day.

For breeding, soft acidic water and a separate tank help fry grow safely. 🥚🌿

Keep their tank clean with regular water changes and good filtration for happy, healthy fish! 💧✨ Perfect for beginners and community tanks alike.

Bandula Barb (Pethia bandula) – බන්දුල පෙතියා

🐟✨ A stunning and peaceful freshwater fish found only in a tiny 1.5 km stream in Galapitamada, Sri Lanka.

Critically endangered and facing threats from habitat destruction, pollution from pesticides & fertilizers, and illegal aquarium trade, its numbers are dwindling fast. 🌿🚫

We must act now to protect this unique species and the fragile freshwater ecosystems it calls home. Together, we can raise awareness, reduce pollution, and support conservation efforts to save the Bandula Barb from extinction! 🌊💚

Photo credit: Fishbase

🌊🐟 Asoka Barb – Systomus Asoka 🇱🇰

Endemic to Sri Lanka, the Asoka Barb (Systomus asoka) is found only in the upper reaches of the Sitawaka River and its tributaries, and the Kelani River near Kitulgala. These fast swimmers thrive in deep, fast-flowing streams with gravel or sand bottoms, preferring unshaded well oxygenated waters.

✨Special behaviours

Juveniles form large, lively schools of 30–100 fish in shallow downstream areas, while adults move upstream to deeper waters and become more solitary.

Asoka Barbs are quick and elusive, often hard to spot from the surface.

They are oviparous, laying eggs with little to no parental care.

Not migratory-they spend their whole lives in their native home streams.

⚠Conservation Status

The Asoka Barb is now Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and over-collection for the aquarium trade. Conservation projects are underway, including captive breeding and community education, to help save this unique species from extinction.

Let’s protect our rivers and the rare life they hold! 🌱💧

Post by : Tharuka Fernando
Caption by : Viduranga Sathsarana

🐠✨Siamase Fighter Fish: Betta splendens ; Colorful Warriors of the Water World! ✨🐠

These vibrant Bettas come in stunning colors and elaborate fin types! Males are territorial fighters (hence the name!) who flare their fins and engage in combat. With their special air-breathing labyrinth organ, they're incredibly adaptable.🐠🌿

They build bubble nests for breeding, recognize their owners, and can live 3-5 years with proper care.Fighter fish farming requires minimal space and investment, making it a perfect business venture for urban or rural settings!

Feed them well with live food and protein-rich diets to enhance their vivid colors. Discover the perfect blend of beauty, fascinating behavior, and business potential! 🌈💪🫧

Post by - Pubudu Hendeniya, Viduranga Sathsarana
Caption by - Lakmini Madumali

🌿🐟 Ceylonese Combtail – Belontia signata 🇱🇰

Endemic to Sri Lanka, the beautiful Belontia signata thrives in the clear, slow-flowing streams of the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Kalu river basins, especially in the southwest and mid-hill regions.

✨ Special Behaviours:

Possesses a labyrinth organ, allowing it to breathe air and survive in low-oxygen water or even briefly out of water! 🌬

Males build bubble nests under leaves or rocks, and both parents care for the eggs and larvae-a rare trait among fish parents.

Feeds mainly on invertebrates, insects, and detritus in the wild, but enjoys a variety of foods in aquariums, from worms to pellets.

⚠ Conservation Alert:

Belontia signata is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution. Populations-especially the brightly colored ones-have declined significantly in the last decade. Let’s protect our unique aquatic heritage! 🌱🐠

Post by : Tharuka Fernando
Caption by : Viduranga Sathsarana

🐟🌊 Celebrate World Tuna Day! 🌊🐟

Do you know?
➡ Tuna are one of the fastest and strongest fish in the ocean, with some species growing over 8 feet long and swimming up to 43 miles per hour!
➡ More than 7 million metric tons of tuna are caught each year, supporting food security, jobs, and cultures in over 80 countries.

⚠ But high demand puts tuna at risk of overfishing threatens their populations and the balance of our oceans.

🌍 That’s why World Tuna Day (May 2), established by the United Nations, raises awareness about the need for sustainable fishing to protect these amazing fish and ensure healthy seas for the future.

Let’s honor the mighty tuna by supporting sustainable fishing and safeguarding their future. Every action counts for our oceans! 🌱🌏

Post by : Pabasara Yasanjith
Caption By : Lakmini Madumali

📣 SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF EXPENDITUS'25 CAREER FAIR! 📣

The Society of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna successfully organized Expenditus'25 on February 22nd, 2025!

This career fair brought together 14 leading companies and organizations from various sectors related to fisheries, aquaculture, marine sciences, and limnology.

Over 200 undergraduates participated, gaining valuable insights into career opportunities and industry trends. The event featured an inauguration ceremony with the Dean of the Faculty, Head of Department,Fisheries and Aquaculture and other distinguished guests.

The event provided students with networking opportunities and enhanced their understanding of diverse career paths available in their fields of study. The fair strengthened the relationship between academia and industry stakeholders.

A key highlight was the emphasis on volunteering opportunities in marine conservation! Students learned about the importance of volunteering work and the valuable experience gained through such initiatives that can significantly enhance their professional development.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a tremendous success!