Red Piranha Pygocentrus Nattereri (Characiformes: Charadidae):An Invasive Fish Species in Freshwater Ecosystems of Eastern States of India

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Authors

  • M. K. Dev Roy
     Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata ,IN
  • Santanu Mitra
     Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata ,IN

Abstract

Red Piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri Kner, 1860, is an ornamental fish belonging to the family Characidae, order Characiformes. This fish is native to South America where it occurs widely in lowland areas of Central and Southern America east of the Andes including the Amazon and Parana basins and various central drainages of the Guianas and Brazil (Fink, 1993). The fish has established in China from where it has probably entered into Bangladesh waters. Of late, it has been reported from peninsular India. As opined by Bijukumar (2000), this fish was introduced in India illegally by aquarium traders and in course of time it has found its way into the natural water systems.

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Published

2012-06-01

Issue

Volume 9, Issue 1, June 2012

Section

Short Communication

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References

Bijukumar, A. 2000. Exotic fishes and freshwater fish diversity. Zoo’s Print Journal, 15(11): 363-367.

Fink, W. L. 1993. Revision of Piranha genus Pygocentrus (Teleostei: Characiformes). Copeia, 1993(3) : 665-687.

Knight, J. D. M. 2010. Invasive ornamental fish: a potential threat to aquatic biodiversity in peninsular India. JoTT, 2(2): 700-704.

Pimentel, D. (ed.). 2002. Biological invasions-economic and environmental costs of alien plants, animal and microbe species. CRC Press, London, 384 pp.