Deliberate introductions include gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki), which were introduced in the early 20th century from North America in an attempt to control mosquitoes. Other fish may have been introduced by accident through the escape of aquarium or aquaculture fish (such as redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus), and the contamination of shipments of fish destined for fish stocking (such as banded grunter, Amniataba percoides). Unfortunately, once pest fish become established in a waterway it can be almost impossible to eradicate them.
Aquarium or ‘ornamental’ fish While several pest species have been in NSW for many decades, recently an increasing number of aquarium fish species have established in the wild. Keeping aquarium or ‘ornamental’ fish as pets in aquaria or garden ponds is a popular pastime in NSW. Many hundreds of fish species, both native and exotic, are sold by aquarium suppliers.
Some of the established ornamental pest fish species in NSW may have escaped or may have been released accidentally. However, it is thought that some have been released by owners who no longer wanted them and were unaware of the options available for humane destruction, or the environmental consequences of release. Once in the wild, these fish can become pests, potentially impacting native species and habitat, and may have the ability to spread throughout entire river systems.
Industry and Investment NSW (I&I NSW) encourages aquarium fish owners to give unwanted fish to a friend or pet shop. If a suitable home cannot be found there are humane methods for destruction of unwanted fish (visit the website and search for ‘humane destruction of fish’ for acceptable euthanasia practices). Most importantly, don’t dump fish into any waterway! It is illegal to release or stock fish for any reason into NSW public waters without a permit, whether for recreational fishing, environmental or cultural purposes. Visit the website and search for ‘fish stocking’ for information on fish stocking in NSW.
There are 3 classes of noxious fish in NSW, representing the different levels of threat they pose to the NSW aquatic environment. Different rules apply for each class in regard to the possession or sale of these species and penalties of up to $11,000 can apply. The Class 1 noxious listing prohibits sale and possession, Class 2 prohibits sale but allows possession in fully-contained aquaria, and Class 3 allows sale and possession. Visit the website and search for ‘noxious fish’ to see the current list and rules.
What freshwater pest fish are found in NSW?Some of the freshwater pest fish species that have established populations in NSW include carp (Cyprinus carpio), redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis), eastern gambusia, oriental weatherloach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), banded grunter and goldfish (Carassius auratus). There are also several other ornamental fish species that have established populations in NSW. Two of the most widespread freshwater pest fish in NSW waterways are carp and redfin perch.
Carp Carp are a large freshwater fish that belong to the Cyprinidae family and are native to Asia and Eastern Europe. They were introduced to Australia both deliberately, in an attempt to imitate the European environment, and accidentally, through the escape of ornamental or aquaculture fish.
Carp are very versatile, and can survive in a great variety of habitats including highly degraded areas. They are now widespread throughout most of NSW, and in many areas dominate the fish biomass at the expense of native species.
Carp can be distinguished by their pair of barbels (whiskers) at each corner of their mouth. They have small eyes, thick lips, a forked tail and a single dorsal (top) fin with strongly serrated spines. The scales are large and thick.
Carp are listed as Class 3 noxious in NSW. This listing recognises that wild carp are a commercial fisheries species and koi carp are a popular ornamental fish in NSW. I&I NSW raises awareness of the risks associated with escapee fish and promotes secure fish pond design to minimise risks of escape.
I&I NSW has developed a carp control plan that consolidates up-to-date information about the biology and impacts of carp and outlines current and recommended actions to stop further spread, control the size of populations, and increase the understanding and involvement of the community.
The plan outlines the limited control options currently available for carp and concludes that any one option on its own is unlikely to be effective. It is not feasible to attempt a comprehensive eradication program for carp in NSW; instead several collaborative projects are underway to improve management of carp. By combining a range of techniques in the one location and by targeting high priority areas such as carp breeding ‘hotspots’, the effectiveness of control efforts can be maximised.
Redfin perch (redfin) are medium sized freshwater fish native to northern Europe. Redfin were first introduced to Australia in the 1860s for angling, as they were a popular fish for their fighting qualities and taste in the UK. Redfin are now widespread across much of NSW.
Redfin live in a wide variety of habitats, but prefer still or slow-flowing waters such as lakes, dams, billabongs, swamps and slower moving streams and rivers. They prefer areas with good shelter such as snags (submerged dead wood and trees), vegetation or rocks, but have also been caught in open water.
Some distinguishing features of redfin include a deep body and slightly forked tail, two distinctly separate dorsal fins, a pattern of five or more broad black vertical bands across the back, and bright reddish-orange pelvic and anal fins and tail. In December 2010 redfin were listed as Class 1 noxious fish as they are considered a serious pest in NSW. They are voracious predators of other fish and invertebrates, can destroy recreational fisheries, and can devastate native fish populations by carrying the viral disease epizootic haematopoietic necrosis (EHN). A number of native species, including silver perch, Murray cod, mountain galaxias and particularly Macquarie perch, are highly susceptible to this disease, and EHN virus may be one factor responsible for the decline in various native species over the last few decades.
Any species that establishes in an area where it does not naturally occur has the potential to become a pest and a serious threat to our native species. Two species of concern that pose a potentially significant threat to NSW waterways are tilapia and didymo.
Tilapia Tilapia are listed in the top 100 of the world’s worst introduced fish species. Tilapia is the common name given for fish from Oreochromis spp., Sarotherodon spp., Serranochromis spp. and Tilapia spp., all from the Cichlidae family. These varieties of tilapia were previously traded in the aquarium industry. They are extremely hardy fish with highly efficient breeding strategies (including mouthbrooding), simple food requirements and flexible habitat preferences.
While there are no existing populations of tilapia in NSW, three species of tilapia, Mozambique mouthbrooder (Oreochromis mossambicus), black mangrove cichlid (Tilapia mariae) and redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zilii) have established successful breeding populations in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. These species would pose a significant threat to NSW native fish species if they were to spread to and establish in NSW.
Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata), a freshwater algae more commonly known as ‘rock snot’, is not known to occur in Australia but has established in areas of the northern hemisphere and the South Island of New Zealand. This highly invasive species can be easily spread by just one drop of affected water. It forms dense brown clumps and can smother aquatic habitats.
Didymo can attach to clothing and shoes, fishing gear or boating equipment. Eradication is virtually impossible once it has become established within a waterbody. Fishers are at risk of accidentally introducing didymo in NSW waters by using contaminated fishing gear and equipment, such as felt-soled waders. If you have visited an area known to contain didymo, please ensure you check, clean and dry fishing gear and equipment before bringing your gear home.
