Pest fish is still a threat in Northern NSW

1:27 AM Sat 3 Apr 2010 GMT

'Pearl-Cichlid - NSW Pest fish' NSW State Government

A popular aquarium fish on the loose in northern NSW, continues to put native fish populations at risk, Melissa Walker, Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW Acting Manager Aquatic Biosecurity and Risk Management, said today.

The fish, known as the Pearl Cichlid or Pearl Eartheater (Geophagus braziliensis), was first reported in the areas around Murwillumbah and Uki in late 2008.

The pest fish is believed to have been released into local waterways from a personal aquarium.

'This is another example of a new potential pest entering our waterways and threatening the local aquatic life through the careless actions of one or two people,' Ms Walker said.

'In recent months we've received new reports of the pest fish being spotted near Dum Dum on the Tweed River and again at Doon Doon Creek, below Clarie Hall Dam, on a tributary of the Tweed River.

'These new reports, together with the repeated floods experienced over the last year, have raised fears the cichlid may have become more widespread.

'Even if their numbers are low at the moment, there is a danger they could become much more common in the future.'

The Department is concerned what impacts the pearl cichlid may have if it becomes more widespread and common in the river system.

'Unfortunately there is little I&I NSW can do to eliminate this pest, because they have been seen over such a large area, because they are so difficult to find and even harder to catch,' she said.

'The best we can do is to get rid of them opportunistically when we come across them. The more people we have helping, the more chance we have of keeping a lid on their numbers.'

For this reason I&I NSW is appealing to anglers to keep a look out for the cichlid, and not return any they catch to the water.

'If you catch one while fishing, the best thing is to take a photo, freeze it and record exactly where you caught it, then call I&I NSW on 02 4916 3877 to let us know,' Ms Walker said.

The species, which is a native of South America, is a popular aquarium fish, having an attractive pattern of pearly spots over a grey-green body with red or red-edged fins.

When breeding, a pair cleans a nesting site and guards the eggs, and may be very aggressive to other fish which enter their territory.

It is an extremely hardy fish, being able to survive in water temperatures down to around 10?C, and in full strength seawater.

'Aquarium fish only belong at home in a fish tank. If you have unwanted fish, take them back to a pet shop, give them to a friend or dispose of them in a humane way,' she said.

'Never, ever dump pet fish into the wild.'

To report sightings of the pest fish, call the I&I NSW aquatic pest hotline on 02 4916 3877, email aquatic.pests(at)industry.nsw.gov.au or visit the Reporting aquatic pests and diseases page.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/

by NSW Dept I & I

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Cruising #Fishing

Cruising

Night Watch: Stay Useful After Dark

Watch stints, handovers and sleep that holds up

Cruising

The Bar Crossing: Wait for Slack Water

Cross on slack or the first of the flood.

Nearby
North Head, NSW	10 kn NNE
Little Bay, NSW	11 kn NNE
Cronulla, NSW	13 kn NNE
Windiest in Australia
Maatsuyker Island, TAS	35 kn NW	13°
Most Windless in Australia
Frederick Reef, QLD	Calm	24°
Hottest in Australia
Telfer, WA	15 kn WNW	40°
Coldest in Australia
Mount Read, TAS	25 kn W	7°
Wettest in Australia
Mount Read, TAS	40.4 mm

General
	Harness injury?
	Catalogues. From back in the day
	Windsurfing masts
	And now for something completely different.
	Hats and booties
Gear Reviews
	Severne MONSTER
	Mach 9 6.5m with RDM ?
Wave sailing
	Foot strap width
	Made some light fins
	At what point do you have enough boards?

Pest fish is still a threat in Northern NSW

Night Watch: Stay Useful After Dark

The Bar Crossing: Wait for Slack Water

Live Weather

Nearby

Windiest in Australia

Most Windless in Australia

Hottest in Australia

Coldest in Australia

Wettest in Australia

(Other) Articles

Windsurfing Forum Topics

Buy & Sell

2026 Duotone Crest Dlab 925

2024 Severne Slalom Reflex 7.0M2 And Slalom V.4 6.7M

2018 Tabou 96L 3S

Slingshot Wizard 125 And I76 Foil

2018 Ecs Weapon2

2025 Armstrong V 1 75Ltr Midlenght

Lahui Kai Team Race 3 X Carbon

Know before you go

Download the Seabreeze app for iOS or Android.

Weather

Activities

About

Other

Support