The Ecological and Socio-economic Impacts of the Aquarium Sailfin Catfish Invasion
Keeping pets has been part of human life since the earliest civilizations. Today, exotic animals are sold online and shipped globally to enthusiasts. However, pet sellers and keepers sometimes release exotic pets into nearby natural ecosystems, leading to biological invasion. This paper examines th...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nandan Nawn
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Ecology, Economy and Society – The INSEE Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ecoinsee.org/journal/ojs/index.php/ees/article/view/1191 |
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| Summary: | Keeping pets has been part of human life since the earliest civilizations. Today, exotic animals are sold online and shipped globally to enthusiasts. However, pet sellers and keepers sometimes release exotic pets into nearby natural ecosystems, leading to biological invasion. This paper examines the invasion by sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.) of Cauvery and Vaigai river basins, and its ecological and socio-economic impacts. We assessed the ecological impacts by comparing the total abundance and biomass of the invasive fish species (IFS), Pterygoplichthys spp., with those of comparator fish species (CFS) and various physicochemical parameters. We used semi-structured interviews and case studies of IFS mechanical removal programmes to assess the socio-economic impacts. The abundance and biomass of the IFS were significantly higher than those of the CFS in most lentic and lotic ecosystems. Interviews revealed significant sociological impacts on fisherfolk, including a push from fishing (a familial profession) to non-fishing vocations. The input–cost–outcome assessment of mechanical removal programmes revealed that the expenditure incurred could not prevent further invasion of the IFS. This study advocates for increasing awareness among stakeholders to devise effective control measures and implement policy-level changes to curb the sailfin catfish invasion in India’s inland water bodies.
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| ISSN: | 2581-6152 2581-6101 |