The Establishment of Exotic Freshwater Aquarium Fish in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Two species of exotic freshwater tropical aquarium fish have been discovered in natural waters in the Port Moresby area. These are the Guppy, Lebistes reticulatus (Peters), and the Three-spot Gourami, Trichogaster trichopterus trichopterus (Pallas). They may have an adverse effect on native fish, because of ecological disruptions, or introduction of disease. The natural waters of Papua New Guinea provide suitable conditions for the survival of escaped tropical aquarium fish; continued importation of these fish increases the risk of new species becoming established. An alternative to importing aquarium fish is to use native freshwater fish, of which there are over 100 species suitable for aquaria. If native fish are used, it would be desirable to restrict their movement to areas in which they occur naturally.