Tackling aquatic invasions: risks and opportunities for the aquarium fish industry

Abstract

The aquarium trade is an important and rapidly growing vector for introduced species in the United States. We examined this vector by surveying pet stores in the San Francisco Bay-Delta region to compile a list of aquarium fish species commonly stocked. We identified which of these species might be able to survive in the Bay-Delta, and investigated store representatives' knowledge and attitudes about biological invasions. A restrictive analysis using conservative estimates of fish temperature tolerances and environmental conditions found that the local aquarium trade includes 5 fish species that can survive in a temperate system such as the Bay-Delta. Under more inclusive parameters, up to 27 fish species met the criteria for survival in the Bay-Delta. We further explored these results by comparing potential invader incidence between different types of stores. In the more restrictive analysis, three national retail chains stocked significantly more potentially invasive species than independent aquarium stores, but there was no difference in the more inclusive analysis. A significantly higher percentage of fish taxa were easily identifiable and well-labeled in chain stores than in independent stores. Most aquarium store representatives indicated willingness to take action to reduce the threat of traderelated introductions, although chain store employees were more willing to assign responsibility for reducing this threat to the aquarium industry than were independent store employees. Management efforts for this vector should focus on (a) improving labeling and identification of fish species in stores, (b) expanding the often spotty data on fish physiological tolerances, especially for saltwater species, (c) educating customers and store employees about the risks posed by pet release, and (d) providing better options for responsible disposal of unwanted fish.

Prioritizing species, pathways, and sites to achieve conservation targets for biological invasion

“…These are further subdivided into six principal pathway categories: intentional release, escape from containment, transport as a contaminant, transport as a stowaway, spread through corridors, and spread through unaided natural dispersal . Application of this framework to 500 invasive alien species in the Global Invasive Species Database revealed, for example, that horticultural and pet and aquarium escapees were the most frequent pathways by which invasive species are introduced and spread (Chang et al 2009;Roy et al 2014). Parties to the CBD have called for the use of this pathway framework for the purpose of assessing and prioritizing the risk posed by pathways (UNEP 2014), which will facilitate the reporting envisaged in Aichi Target 9.…”

Marmorkrebs (Procambarus fallaxf.virginalis) are the most popular crayfish in the North American pet trade

“…For example, human population density and economic development of areas is correlated with exotic species introductions (Gallardo, 2014;Gallardo and Aldridge, 2013;Perdikaris et al, 2012), including crayfish (Chucholl, 2014). The pet trade has been responsible for many introductions of non-native species (Chang et al, 2009;Duggan, 2010;Keller and Lodge, 2009;Strecker et al, 2011), and is likely the major driver of introductions of non-indigenous crayfish in several countries (Chucholl, 2013;Soes and Koese, 2010). The scale of the trade in pets, particularly aquatic animals, has been difficult to estimate (Rhyne et al, 2012), but online sale and trade websites can provide estimates of the risk of introduction of non-indigenous species (Kikillus et al, 2012).…”

The global trade in crayfish as pets

“…Patoka et al (2014b) found 3.6% of crayfish owners released them, either into natural habitats (2.1%) or the sewers (1.5%). While most surveys show people support prevention of invasive species (e.g., Chang et al, 2009;Bohman & Edsman, 2011), about 70% of the releases are associated with convenience, rather than consideration of the environment (Drake et al, 2015). However, about 30% of risky behaviour is unpredictable (Drake et al, 2015).…”

“…Store surveys for fish showed differences between store types: chain stores were more likely to have species identification of fish being sold, and those identifications were more likely to be correct (Chang et al, 2009).…”

“…Suppliers and retailers are often unable to identify the aquatic species they sell (Chang et al, 2009;DiStefano et al, 2009), even if there are legislative requirements to know what species is being sold. For example, 97% of bait shops in the American state of Missouri surveyed were unable to identify which crayfish species they sold, although state law specified that only four species were allowed to be sold for bait, meaning that retailers could not know if they were compliant with the regulation (DiStefano et al, 2009).…”