Abstract
Although approximately 150 species of cichlid are regularly imported into Australia through the aquarium trade, only three species have to date established breeding populations in inland waters. The most widely distributed and potentially problematic species is Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters), the Mozambique mouth-brooder. This contribution reviews the distribution and biology of O. mossambicus in Australia and then outlines the practical and environmental problems that seem likely to arise should this species become more widely established. The declaration of O. mossambicus as a ‘noxious’ species throughout Australia would discourage its interstate transport and its sale to aquarists and others in southern States, where it may currently be cultivated. This legislation, backed by a vigorous campaign of public education advertising the penalties associated with noxious species and the dangers inherent in releasing any fish into an alien environment, should significantly limit the potential for expansion of its range by humans. Research is needed to determine the impacts of O. mossambicus on aquatic environments and indigenous biota in the range of habitats currently supporting breeding populations of this cichlid. The results of such research are urgently needed to reinforce and to widen existing legislative powers and so to reduce the probability of serious environmental degradation due to this and other aquarium fish in the future.
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Arthington, A.H. (1986). Introduced Cichlid Fish in Australian Inland Waters. In: De Deckker, P., Williams, W.D. (eds) Limnology in Australia. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 61. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4820-4_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4820-4_14
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