1. INTRODUCTION

Indonesia territory is covered with 70 % of sea water where many types or ornament fish live. So is its fresh water there also live many kinds of ornament fish which are also interesting compared to sea water fish.

Of many kinds of ornament fish, Rainbow fish is one of the most attractive. The name “Rainbow” ( “ikan pelangi” in Indonesian language) is more familiar among fish lovers and fish businessmen compared to “ikan pelangi”. Analyzing from the meaning of its name Rainbow is due to its color composition that looks like rainbow.
Rainbow is new comer fish that attract both researchers and businessmen with different motivation. The former is more focus on scientific aspect for example they try to preserve them by finding alternatives for their breeding, while the later is aimed at finding solution in order they have commercial value by improving their quality and quantity. Businessmen (including ornament fish lovers) give more emphatic on aspects that are more practical, larger amount of production for more efficient cost of production.
Combination between the result of the research and the practical experience of those businessmen can improve their productivity.

A. THE ORIGIN AND SPREEDING.

Rainbow is originated from Papua (Papua of Indonesia and Papua of New Guinea) and part of Australia. According to Allent (1991), Some of Rainbow types are specific fish that live in Australian and Papuan waters. But Kottelat, at al (1993) reported that there are 10 types of Rainbow typically from Celebes especially Telmatherina genus.

Those types of Rainbow live spread across plain area to mountains with the height of 1,500 meters above the sea level. It is not surprising if Rainbow can be found along the swamps, rivers and lakes.

B. Ornament Fish Attractiveness

Ornament fish attractiveness is commonly determined by some features such as; color, shape and size. From the color, it looks attractive if the fish has contrastive color or its composition is attractive. From its shape, it will be attractive if it is unique. From the size, small fish are better as they are easy to be kept and sold.

Some ornament fish are attractive not because of the three criterions above but the predicate they have. For instance, fish can be attractive if they can bring good luck, rare, horrible or wild appearance.

Some of Rainbow types are attractive because they have one or all of the above criterions. But there is no Rainbow that looks attractive because of its predicate. Male Rainbow terina (Iriantherina werneri) has beautiful color, shape and size. Its beautiful small shape with long fins on its back makes it special for aquarium. Red Rainbow (Glossolepis incisus) has dominant red color which is contrast. So does rainbow lakustris (Melanotaenia lacustris) and rainbow praecox (Melanotaenia praecox) that has metallic blue looks like neon tetra fish. But rainbow kuloci (Melanotaenia macculochi) has brown reddish stripes. Rainbow bosmani (Melanotaenia boesemani), composition of its color is contrast bright and dark. Front body is blue, back is yellow and purple. In the center of its body are dark stripes as if they separate of front and dark colors.
It must be claimed that the color of most of fresh water fish is less beautiful compared to that of sea water fish. But the beautiful color of rainbow is able to compete with sea water fish.

C. Business Attractiveness

Sea water fish business especially export business is very prospective. Overseas market demand for ornament fish is increasing throughout years. From the data of BPS 1995, export value of ornament fish reached to US$ 4,852,048. This nominal is only 10-20% of the world demand. Of this value the majority came from fresh water ornament fish that reached to US$ 3,955,855 or around 82%, this is may be the availability of fresh water fish is due to the cultivation.
One of determining factors to choose rainbow for business is because it has good commercial value. With its beautiful color, shape and size, it can attract overseas markets.
The most important in rainbow business is the demand of overseas market so it is a very secured market. This secured market is very important in the continuation of the business. One of the obstacles is there are only a few and limited biological informations and techniques of cultivation.
Rainbow was first popular in Australia in 1995, from Australia then spread to Europe and America. Rainbow was found almost in every fish shop in Australia. Even in Australia there is Rainbow fish association named: Rainbowfish Study Group (RSG). This association is located at 171 Campbell Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501. Rainbow that is wellknown among them as ‘bows’ has export opportunity and belong to endemic fish that is available at certain place with limited availability.

D. Business Prospect.

Recently biological obstacles on rainbow fish cultivation can be overcome so technically its cultivation can be understood. On the other hand rainbow is an export commodity which has market security. These two things make business prospect is promising. Moreover in this economy crisis rupiah value exchange is weakening over foreign exchange. The endurance of business with export orientation has been proven. Agro business has high endurance to the impact of that crisis. This was also supported by the interview with rainbow fish raisers that the business prospect is promising with stable market.

By RUth Preston