An Aesthetic Touch in a Small Space, A Team of IPB University FPIK Students Develops the Zeco Ornamental Betta Fish Business

Who would have thought that the hobby of keeping ornamental fish could become a very promising business opportunity in the hands of students? A team of students from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) at IPB University has proven it through the Zeco brand. 

Zeco is a business unit focused on the cultivation and distribution of ornamental betta fish using a modern management approach.

Led by Mohamad Toufik Hidayat from the Aquatic Products Technology Program, Zeco was established to fill a gap in the ornamental fish market in the Dramaga area of Bogor. Without requiring a large amount of land, this business generates high profits through a variety of unique betta fish types and tail patterns, which remain highly sought after among ornamental fish enthusiasts.

Zeco’s strength lies in its comprehensive business ecosystem. Not only does it sell fish, but it also provides supporting products such as maintenance media, aquarium equipment, and aquascapes that enhance the aesthetic value of the products.

“Betta fish are highly sought after because of their small size yet wide variety of tail patterns. In Dramaga itself, the hobbyist market remains wide open because there aren’t many competitors targeting flea markets or local communities,” said Toufik Hidayat.

The main challenge in this breeding operation is the betta fish’s cannibalistic nature and susceptibility to infection if water hygiene isn’t maintained. Therefore, Zeco implements intensive care standards, including maintaining stable room temperatures to ensure the fish’s health before they reach consumers.

Through the support of the 2026 Student Entrepreneurship Program (PMW), Zeco has not only learned to manage the operational aspects of fish farming but also developed digital marketing strategies via Instagram and TikTok. Their innovations continue to evolve, including plans to feature betta fish as part of gift hampers paired with floral arrangements.

“PMW has been a strong supporter of our creativity and serves as a real-world platform for learning business skills. Going forward, we plan to expand into premium breeding to tap into a more exclusive market,” added Toufik.

Zeco proves that with perseverance and the right digital strategies, a traditional fish farming business can transform into a highly competitive creative enterprise. (MW) (IAAS/WSG)