The Amazon Sailfin Catfish, native to the Amazon River basin in South America, has been found in Manipur’s Waishel canal, raising fears of an invasion of the northeastern state’s aquatic ecosystem by alien species. The catfish, also known as the suckermouth catfish, was caught by a fisherman in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on April 22, marking a potential threat to the region’s aquatic diversity.
While the Amazon Sailfin Catfish has been previously reported in the Ganga in Bihar’s Patna and the Brahmaputra in lower Assam, this discovery is the first instance of the species in Manipur. Experts express concern over the potential negative impact on the local biodiversity, as the fast-spreading catfish has the potential to eliminate native fish species and disrupt the delicate balance of the aquatic ecosystem.
Dr. Ch Basudha Devi, a senior scientist at the Manipur centre’s Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), emphasized the significance of this finding, stating that the presence of such alien species could have detrimental effects on the region’s biodiversity.
Yumnam Lokeshwor, an associate professor at Assam Don Bosco University’s department of zoology, highlighted the potential consequences of the Amazon Sailfin Catfish’s introduction to Manipur’s waters. He explained that the invasive species might outcompete native species, leading to the disruption of habitats and potential ecological imbalances.
This discovery underscores the growing challenge of alien fish species in Manipur’s water bodies, with concerns about intentional releases for commercial purposes and accidental releases due to inadequate regulations. The need for effective measures to regulate and control the introduction of non-native species is crucial to preserving the ecological balance in the region.
