Non-native freshwater fish species in China

Abstract

Non-native fishes are regarded as a serious threat to freshwater biodiversity. However, little information exists about non-native freshwater fish in China. This study compiled an inventory of non-native freshwater fish species in China based on various sources. The inventory includes a total of 439 freshwater fish species belonging to 22 orders, 67 families, and 256 genera. The four most dominant orders were Perciformes, Characiformes, Siluriformes, and Cypriniformes, accounting for 38.50 14.81 13.90, and 11.16 % of the non-native freshwater fish in China, respectively. Over one-third of non-native freshwater fish species were of South American origin (35.54 %), followed by Asian (23.01 %), and African (21.41 %) origins. The aquarium and aquaculture industries are the two main vectors responsible for the introduction of non-native fish species into China. The status and potential impacts of most non-native fishes are uncertain. This study summarizes the known ecological and economic effects of non-native freshwater fishes in China. The results demonstrate that there are enormous positive and negative impacts of non-native fishes on the economy, and that some non-native species are potential threats to humans and biodiversity in China. Therefore, more attention should be focused on non-native fishes in China in the future.

Species invasions threaten the antiquity of China's freshwater fish fauna

“…Moreover, aquaculture practices, pet trade and heightened trade activities (including shipping and air transportation) have contributed to the widespread introduction of non-native fishes (Xie et al, 2001;Lin et al, 2015). Xiong et al, 2015), whereas the patterns and drivers of changes in b diversity have been poorly documented (but see Ding et al, 2016). Ye et al, 2015) or c diversity (e.g.…”

Factors influencing tropical Island freshwater fishes: species, status, threats and conservation in Hainan Island

“…On Hainan Island, constructed wetlands are the most important commercial fishing sites. Many fish species (M. piceus, C. idella, H. molitrix, H. nobilis, Cyprinus carpio, O. niloticus, C. auratus, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, C. batrachus, C. gariepinus, Colossoma macropomum, Anguilla japonica, M. albus) were introduced into constructed wetlands (aquaculture ponds) for aquaculture (Xiong et al, 2015),especially since the 1990s, when Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) were introduced to Hainan Island for aquaculture (Wang et al, 2015).…”

“…1). These non-native fish species could lead to enormous negative impacts on native fisheries and biodiversity (Xiong et al, 2015). For example, the increase of Nile tilapia in the rivers of South China has led to declines in the CPUE from native fish communities as well as declines in the number of native fish species caught (Gu et al, 2015).…”

“…Thus, local government, citizens, and environmental organizations should pay more attention to the impacts of dams and carry out habitat restoration where necessary. China is currently the most seriously threatened county by invasion of aquatic organisms (Xiong et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2016;Xiong et al, 2017). Although little is known about the negative impacts of these non-native freshwater fishes in Hainan Island, these non-native fish species have caused great negative impacts in other regions of world (Pimentel et al, 2000;Ribeiro and Leunda, 2012).…”

“…Although little is known about the negative impacts of these non-native freshwater fishes in Hainan Island, these non-native fish species have caused great negative impacts in other regions of world (Pimentel et al, 2000;Ribeiro and Leunda, 2012). Non-native freshwater fish could lead to declines of native endemic species by hybridization, competition for food and habitat, predation, and habitat and ecosystem alterations (Xiong et al, 2015). Therefore, more research is needed on ecological and economic impacts of these non-native freshwater fishes in Hainan Island.…”