Aquarium Species - Invasive Species

Introduction

Swordtail Pic - D Morgan

The Department of Fisheries is working with industry members and the community to manage and conserve Western Australia's fish and aquatic habitats. An important part of this work is protecting our environment and fish resources against introduced plants, animals and diseases which pose a serious threat to the State's aquatic environment. The Department wishes to do this in a manner which does not create unmanageable difficulties for the aquarium industry, which may be achieved in part by following the advice contained within these pages.

Blue Marron

WA is free from many of the introduced species that are found in other areas of Australia and overseas, but we will only enjoy this status as long as we all remain vigilant in our efforts to exclude these invaders.

Industries such as tourism, aquaculture, recreational and commercial fishing are dependent on the natural diversity that occurs within our marine and freshwater ecosystems. Nobody benefits from the introduction of invasive species – especially the environment.

Invasive Aquarium Species

Chichlids

Australia's marine and freshwater environments are home to a unique array of aquatic plants and animals. In fact, Australia is considered to be one of the world's twelve most biologically diverse countries, with about 80 per cent of our southern marine species being unique to Australia.

Introduced aquatic plants, animals and fish, including some aquarium species, pose a serious threat to this precious environment.

Scorpionfish

Already a number of aquarium species have been accidentally released into WA. Some of these do not survive, but others that are more suited to our environmental conditions have flourished, establishing populations, displacing and even preying on native species.

If we can prevent the introduction of aquarium species to our natural environment, we can avoid the negative social, environmental and economic impacts that invasive aquarium species cause.

High Risk Species

• A hybrid strain of the naturally occurring Caulerpa taxifolia marine seaweed was developed for aquarium conditions. This was accidentally introduced into the Mediterranean Sea in 1984 and has since spread to several countries, including Australia (South Australia and New South Wales). To date, it has not been recorded in WA.
  
  
• Other species which threaten the environment, such as gambusia and redfin perch, are restricted and should not be sold, provided or collected for aquarium or aquarium fish food purposes.
  
  
• Other species originally imported as aquarium fish, such as tilapia, carp, guppies, barbs and swordtails have also been recorded in various locations. In some cases, it has been possible to control and even eradicate them from the aquatic environment to which they've been introduced. However, once a population is established, eradication may not always be an achievable option.

What You Can Do

To avoid the introduction of pests and diseases to our environment, aquarium fish, plants and animals should not be used for aquaculture purposes. They should be held in indoor aquarium tanks and never be released into any waterway or the ocean.

Chichlids

• Do not allow any of your aquarium species, including fish, snails, amphibians, crustaceans and aquarium weed (algae), to be released, or to escape into any WA aquatic environment.
• Do not use the known invasive aquarium weed Caulerpa taxifolia as an aquarium weed species.
• Unwanted live aquarium species may be returned to the aquarium dealer from where they were originally purchased.
• Alternatively to dispose of aquarium fish, put fish and aquarium water into a plastic bag and into the fridge. When the fish stops moving, put the bag into the freezer overnight (endorsed by RSPCA WA Inc).
• Other unwanted aquarium species and weed may be disposed of by placing them in the freezer for 24 hours.
• Due to the associated risks, the Department of Fisheries does not support the stocking of ponds or dams with ornamental species and would suggest that native species are considered as a preferred alternative in these situations.

Reporting Introduced Species

While in or around any Western Australian aquatic environment, be aware of your surroundings. If you suspect you have identified a possible introduced species within WA, please contact the Department of Fisheries' FISHWATCH service on 1800 815 507 or contact the Department's Translocation Officer on (08) 9482 7385.

For further information contact the Department of Fisheries.