Animal health certification requirements for import of orname ntal fish into 
Singapore 
 
1. Scope 
1.1 Ornamental fish refers to the ornamental varieties of marine, brackish water or fresh water fish, crustacean and aquatic mollusca. It excludes fish and fish products intended for human 
consumption. 
 
1.2 Health certificates are required for ever y shipment of ornamental fish imported into 
Singapore which are either susceptible
1 or can act as vector to the following disease(s): 
 
S/N Disease Susceptible 
species  
 Species which shall 
be regarded as 
vectors   
a. Spring viraemia of carp (SVC) 
 As listed in OIE2 - 
b. Koi herpesvirus disease (KHV) 
 As listed in OIE - 
c. Epizootic ulcerative syndrome 
(EUS)  As listed in OIE - 
d.  Epizootic haematopoietic 
necrosis (EHN)  As listed in OIE 
 Goldfish ( Carassius 
auratus ), koi carp 
(Cyprinus carpio ) 
 
e.  Furunculosis ( Aeromonas 
Salmonicida ) 
 Goldfish ( Carassius 
auratus ) 
 - 
f.  Goldfish haematopoietic necrosis 
virus (GFHNV)  Goldfish ( Carassius 
auratus ) 
  
g. White spot disease (WSD) 
(White Spot Syndrome virus WSSV)  As listed in OIE - 
 
  
1.3 Irrespective of paragraph 1.2, health certificates are required for every shipment of marine 
ornamental finfish imported into Singapore that are for re-export to Australia .  
                                                 
1A susceptible species is a species of aquatic animal in which infection has been demonstrated by 
natural causes or by experimental exposures to the disease agent that mimics the natural pathways for 
infection as defined by OIE. 
 
2 Susceptible species in accordance to the late st edition of the OIE Aquatic Animal health Code 
(http://www.oie.int/eng/norme s/fcode/en_sommaire.htm ) and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic 
Animals ( http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/fmanual/A_summry.htm ). 2. Documentation 
The importation shall be accompanied by an original  copy of health certificate issued by the 
competent authority (CA) of the exporting country within ten days prior to the shipment, in 
English, and providing information on the following: 
 2.1 Consignment details 
i. Name and address of the aquaculture establishment of origin or location of harvest ii. Date of the shipment iii. Name of the exporting country 
iv. Name and address of the exporter 
v. Name of the competent authority of the exporting country vi. Country of destination vii. Name and address of the importer 
 
2.2 Identification of the animals 
i. Species: Scientific name and common name 
ii. Quantity (in pieces) iii. Total number of packages 
 
2.3 Health Information 
 
2.3.1 Health attestation that the fish in the consignment are free from the diseases listed 
under paragraph 1.2 as follows: 
 
2.3.1.1 The fish originate from a country or a zone or an area or an aquaculture establishment 
that has been subject to an official fish health surveillance system equivalent to the relevant 
OIE standard and is officially recognized (by the CA of the country) as being free from Spring viraemia of carp (SVC)*, Koi herpesvirus di sease (KHV)*, Epizootic ulcerative syndrome 
(EUS)*, Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis (EHN)* and White spot disease (WSD)*.   
2.3.1.2 For Furunculosis ( Aeromonas Salmonicida) * and Goldfish haematopoietic necrosis 
virus (GFHNV)* , there is absence of clinical signs suggestive of infection. 
 
2.3.1.3 The fish have been examined within seven days before loading and found to be healthy and free from any clinical signs of disease  
2.3.1.4 The fish have not been kept in water in common with koi carp
3 or farmed foodfish (fish 
farmed for human consumption including recreational fishing).   * Keep as appropriate for the susceptible species  
 
2.3.2 Additional health requirements for consignment(s) containing marine ornamental fish:  2.3.2.1 The fish are not sourced from a population associated with any significant infectious disease or pests and there have not been any unusual or substantial outbreaks of infectious fish disease or pests in the areas from which the fish have been collected during the 6 months 
prior to collection.  
 2.3.2.2 The fish were collected from an area at least 5 kilometres from any foodfish aquaculture operation and the fish in the consignment have not come into contact with water, equipment or fish associated with farmed foodfish (fish farmed for human consumption 
including recreational fishing). 
                                                 
3 Except in the case of export of koi carp.  
2.3.2.3 The fish are wild caught and have not been bred or hatched on a farm or other premises. 
 
2.3.3 The aforementioned health certificate may be drawn up taking reference from the model certificate of the Aquatic Animal Health Code of the OIE and shall include the following: 
i. The certificate reference number on every page ii. Name, address, official position, date, signature and official stamp of the CA iii. A certificate issued shall be valid for 10 days from the date of issue. 
 
  
3. Labeling of consignments 
3.1 The consignment is identified by a legible label on the exterior of every packing bag or 
container with the following information: 
 
3.1.1 Name of establishment of origin or harvest  3.1.2 Name of importer