Aquarium trade and fish farms as a source of non-native freshwater fish introductions in French Guiana

Abstract

Rivers of French Guiana are still little invaded by non-native fish, but several fish introductions were recently recorded through the development of aquarium fish trade and fish farms. Here we report records of 11 non-native fish species. Among them, four (Cichla monoculus, Heros efasciatus, Mesonauta guyanae and Poecilia reticulata) are established and one of them (Heros efasciatus) is rapidly increasing its spatial range. Two species (Hyphessobrycon eques and Pterophyllum scalare) were not retrieved in recent records and are probably extinct from French Guiana. The establishment status of the five other species (Arapaima gigas, Colossoma macropomum, Cyprinus carpio, Oreochromis mossambicus and Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is uncertain and only a few specimens were observed in the wild. Nevertheless, these species, intensively reared in nearby countries, belong to highly invasive species able to cause detrimental impacts on recipient ecosystems. Those first occurrences of invasive fish species in French Guiana should therefore act as an early warning for both researchers and environmental managers.

Freshwater Fish Invasions: A Comprehensive Review

“…For example, Tedesco et al (2017) only list a few introductions in the Amazon drainage, even though recent reports show an increase in invasions (Vitule et al, 2019;Magalhães et al, 2020). Similarly, Guianese rivers have long been considered among the most pristine, but recent reports point to introductions of several non-native fish species that must be considered as an early sign of potential invasions (Brosse et al, 2021). This problem can even be quantified in the database of on first records of established species.…”

Nutritional Risk Screening in Newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

“…However, in a strategic assessment of the potential for freshwater fish farming in Latin America French Guiana scored highest both for Nile tilapia and common carp small-scale farming [101]. Despite slow development in aquaculture or maybe partly because of that reason, it is seen as a source of non-native freshwater fish introductions in French Guiana [102]. Eleven non-native species have been reported in 2021, four of which are well established, namely kounanni or tucunare Cichla monoculus, paya Herox efasciatus, Mesonauta guyanae (no common name) and guppy Poecilia reticulata.…”

“…Five well-known fish farming species, namely arapaima, common carp, Mozambique tilapia, silver arowana and tambaqui, have not been established so well outside the farms as only a few specimens were observed in the wild. Two alien species, jewel tetra Hyphessobrycon eques and freshwater angelfish Pterophyllum scalare, have not been retrieved recently and could be extinct from French Guiana [102]. The country has one well-documented case when introduced and cultivated species from aquaculture are now present in natural conditions in several river basins.…”

“…The ornamental fish trade exists but no good statistics have been found. Instead, the aquarium fish trade development is seen as a source of non-native freshwater introductions in French Guiana [102]. All invasive fish species are seen as an early warning for both researchers and environmental managers.…”

Aquaculture and Fisheries as a Food Source in the Amazon Region - A Review

“…However, in a strategic assessment of the potential for freshwater fish farming in Latin America French Guiana scored highest both for Nile tilapia and common carp small-scale farming [101]. Despite slow development in aquaculture or maybe partly because of that reason, it is seen as a source of non-native freshwater fish introductions in French Guiana [102]. Eleven non-native species have been reported in 2021, four of which are well established, namely kounanni or tucunare Cichla monoculus, paya Herox efasciatus, Mesonauta guyanae (no common name) and guppy Poecilia reticulata.…”