Henk Hugo
14-02-2009, 08:53
Not sure if they are actually breeding in KZN....
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20081208121740297C344783
Alien fish threatens KZN wildlife - report
December 08 2008 at 12:27PM
An alien invader fish has been found in two KwaZulu-Natal rivers, the Witness newspaper reported on Monday.
The armoured catfish or "plecos" (Pterygoplichthys Disjunctivus) was found in the uMhlathuze and Nseleni rivers in the Empangeni district.
They potentially posed such a serious threat that environmental legislation was currently being drafted to control them.
Native to south and central America, they were popular with fish enthusiasts because they were attractive and helped keep fish tanks free of algae.
"These fish are of particular concern in KZN because the freshwater environment along the coast is suitable for them and they could invade extensive areas," said Professor Paul Skelton, a freshwater fish expert for the Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity in Grahamstown was quoted as saying.
"We don't know for sure how they got into local waters, but most likely they were released by, or escaped from, aquarists in the area."
He said plecos were easily distinguished from all African catfishes because of their armour.
KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife spokesperson Jeff Gaisford appealed to people who owned plecos not to release them into local rivers or dams.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute was drafting legislation to control invasive organisms, including plecos. - Sapa
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20081208121740297C344783
Alien fish threatens KZN wildlife - report
December 08 2008 at 12:27PM
An alien invader fish has been found in two KwaZulu-Natal rivers, the Witness newspaper reported on Monday.
The armoured catfish or "plecos" (Pterygoplichthys Disjunctivus) was found in the uMhlathuze and Nseleni rivers in the Empangeni district.
They potentially posed such a serious threat that environmental legislation was currently being drafted to control them.
Native to south and central America, they were popular with fish enthusiasts because they were attractive and helped keep fish tanks free of algae.
"These fish are of particular concern in KZN because the freshwater environment along the coast is suitable for them and they could invade extensive areas," said Professor Paul Skelton, a freshwater fish expert for the Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity in Grahamstown was quoted as saying.
"We don't know for sure how they got into local waters, but most likely they were released by, or escaped from, aquarists in the area."
He said plecos were easily distinguished from all African catfishes because of their armour.
KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife spokesperson Jeff Gaisford appealed to people who owned plecos not to release them into local rivers or dams.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute was drafting legislation to control invasive organisms, including plecos. - Sapa