Bonjour, new guests from small-town India
Puneet Dhawan of Accor is brimming with ideas on ways to revive the hospitality sector
Scientists from the Hebbal-based Fisheries Research and Information Centre (FRIC) have urged the need to create awareness among the public, aquarists and hobbyists on the harmful impact of ‘suckermouth catfish’ (an exotic fish species from Northern America) on endemic fish species of an aquatic ecosystem.
A team of scientists – Shivakumar Magada, professor and head of FRIC, and KB Rajanna and C Sruthisree of FRIC – has created an awareness material based on the existing scientific evidences and the team’s observation on this particular species.
Magada told BusinessLine that Hypostomus plecostomus (also known as the suckermouth catfish), which is being traded in the ornamental fish industry, has been introduced to natural waterbodies accidentally and intentionally in many lakes in Bengaluru, wetlands of West Bengal and other major cities in the country.
Stating that ‘suckermouth catfish’ is used as an ornamental fish, he said hobbyists have one or two ‘suckermouth catfish’ in large aquariums and garden ponds to maintain the ponds and aquarium glass clean. Aquariums cannot accommodate them once they grow bigger. In such a situation, many leave them to natural water bodies.
This fish species may not be a serious issue if the numbers are only a few. However, he said, it is advisable not to release them into natural waterbodies. Because when they outreach the number, they become a menace and alter the existing biodiversity of the given ecosystem, he said.
Since they are hardy in nature, they live in derelict water bodies with low oxygen levels. Owing to their armed and spiny body, there are no suitable predators. As a result of this, they slowly establish and increase their population, Magada said.
Highlighting the major threats from ‘suckermouth catfish’, he said they compete for food and space of bottom feeders and reduce the production and productivity of the ponds and lakes. They dominate the community and population by overgrowth, and eat the eggs of other fishes thereby reducing the numbers of other species.
Stating that it is difficult to eradicate them once these fishes get entry to the natural waterbodies, he said they live in the bottom-most layers. There are no suitable nets to harvest them selectively.
He said that this species is not edible as it has less meat and armed with a spiny body.
There is a need to educate aquarists and hobbyists not to sell these fish in large numbers, and educate fishermen to eradicate this species by burying or for safe disposal.
Fishes of this species grow up to 50 cm, and mature when they reach 15-20 cm. They have a life span of 10-15 years, he added.
Puneet Dhawan of Accor is brimming with ideas on ways to revive the hospitality sector
Citroen’s first vehicle sports a novel design and European interiors. It is also meant to be as comfortable as ...
The pandemic is only the tip of the iceberg that the country’s cash-poor airlines — both regional and national ...
The government is yet to specify the framework of its recently announced old vehicle scrappage policy
With initial public offerings galore, we give you a cheat sheet to score some good grades
Biggest risk in selling funds in a rising scenario is exiting early and missing out on further gains
Go for a standard vector-borne diseases policy if you don’t have a regular health plan
No credit risk is an attraction, but note the nuances
With the public looking beyond mainstream media for reports from the ground, independent digital platforms are ...
While Supreme Court has cleared the way for women seeking longer tenures and senior roles in the Indian Army, ...
Mughal Gardens in the Capital open to visitors — albeit with Covid-19 protocol — for the annual Udyanotsav
Salty, buttery, cheese coated or with maple syrup and bacon — popcorn is lending its adaptable self to gourmet ...
Its name is the starting point of a brand’s journey and can make a big difference in the success sweepstakes
Sober spirits are the in thing
A peek into where ad spends went last year and where they are headed tomorrow
Can Swiggy Instamart disrupt the ecommerce groceries space, currently ruled by the Amazons and Big Baskets? ...
Three years after its inception, compliance with GST procedures remains a headache for exporters, job workers ...
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of companies are altering the prospects for wooden toys of ...
Aequs Aerospace to create space for large-scale manufacture of toys at Koppal
And it has every reason to smile. Covid-19 has triggered a consumer shift towards branded products as ...