Foraging Effects of the Invasive Alien Fish Pterygoplichthys on Eggs and First-Feeding Fry of the Native Clarias macrocephalus in Thailand

Abstract

Native to Latin America, the sailfi n armored catfi sh Pterygoplichthys has been introduced to Thailand for the ornamental fi sh industry. This invasive species has fl ourished in nature and may threaten aquatic resources, especially of indigenous freshwater fi sh due to its foraging activities. This study investigated the biological impacts of the sailfi n armored catfi sh on the eggs and the fi rst-feeding fry of the Thai native catfi sh, Clarias macrocephalus that are found in similar habitats. The results showed that small, medium and large Pterygoplichthys fed on up to 95% or more of native catfi sh eggs within 24 hr. Pterygoplichthys also consumed the fi rst-feeding fry of C. macrocephalus. The average consumption of fi rst-feeding fry by small, medium and large Pterygoplichthys was 26.3±7.2, 71.8±23.5 and 86.3±13.7%, respectively. These results clearly indicated that the consumption of the catfi sh eggs was much higher than for the fi rst-feeding fry primarily due to the fact that the eggs were immobile and accessible. In addition, the consumption rates of fi rst-feeding fry by the armored catfi sh were positively correlated with the size of Pterygoplichthys (correlation coeffi cient = 0.6238, P < 0.01). In conclusion, Pterygoplichthys can destroy the eggs and fi rst-feeding fry of the native catfi sh Clarias macrocephalus and has the potential to reduce the populations of Thai native fi sh species.