Context:

Kerala flood released several alien species of fish into water bodies, raising a threat to the endemic aquatic ecosystem and biodiversity.

Threat Analysis

• The foreign fish breeds from farms, dams and also aquariums have washed away into rivers after the floods.
• It is assumed that over 20 lakh invasive fishes were washed away into rivers and other water resources during the flood.
• The presence of 11 alien species has been documented, including the alligator gar, goldfish, shark catfish also known as Malaysian vanilla, red-bellied pacu, and four alien invasive species namely the East African catfish, common carp, tilapia, and sucker catfish.
• The research team found that the species now abounding in Kerala waters had developed a preference for snails.
• Among others, invasive fishes feed also on local fish breeds. As some invasive fishes are capable of living in polluted water too, they can affect the survival of local fish breeds in the water resources.