7. Issues and Challenges in Aquatic Invasive Alien Species - Seafdec

2. Tilapia (Oreochromis mozambique,O. nilotica)
Tilapias were introduced into Malaysia by the
Japanese in the 1940s as a cheap protein source
(Hickling, 1959). The most popular species for culture
is the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Pullin,
1983). Two other species of tilapia used for culture
include the Mozambique tilapia (O.mossambique)
and the blue tilapia (O. aureus).
There have been activities for cage culture of the
species in Lake Kenyir by the DoFM and private
sectors since two decades ago. The Department has
carried out studies on the potential and impact of
aquaculture in the lake and has recommended the
tilapia as one of the cultured species in the cage as
it is technically feasible, economically viable and
socially acceptable. The area designated for it is the
Sungai Como. A permanent change in ecosystem is
unlikely because naturally or biologically tilapia
cannot breed in deep water in the lake and they are
easily preyed by the indigenous species of the lake
such as Baung, Toman and Sebarau. All necessary
measures to prevent it from escaping into the lake
have been put forward in Good Aquaculture Practices
and Skim Pensijilan Ladang Akuakultur Malaysia.
hybrid type. Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS)
was reported from farms in northern states of
Peninsular Malaysia which used imported fingerlings
of Channa striata and Clarias macrocephalus.
4. The snakeskin gouramy
(Trichogaster pectoralis)
It is known locally as ‘sepat siam’. This anabantid
has been introduced from Thailand as early as the
late 19 th century in the Krian rice scheme in Perak
(Ang et al, 1989).
5. Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus)
It has been introduced and actively promoted by the
DoF as red pomfret or bawal merah. This fish is a
native of the Amazon and Orinoco river systems of
South America and brought to Malaysia in the early
80s for the purpose of culture as both a food and
ornamental fish. Research was initiated in 1985 at
Freshwater Fisheries Research Centre, Batu
Berendam, Malacca with the first successful
spawning in 1989 (Mohd. Zaini et al, 1991).
Red tilapia, Tilapia niloticus
Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus)
Black tilapia, Oreochromis mossambique
3. Catfishes (Clariidae: Clarius gariepinus/
lazera)
African catfish/sharp-tooth/ Nile catfish) is from
Africa in 1988 and hybrid C. macrocephalus
x C. gariepinus, Ictaluridae - ictalurus spp. Channel
catfish, Pangasidae – pangasius sp, ikan patin.
Most of the clarias currently being cultured is of the
In Malaysia, the species mentioned above have not
been designated as invasive with the exception of
the pacu which belongs to the same family as the
piranha (Serrasalmus natterei). They have very
different behaviour and feeding habits. Unfortunately,
the morphological features of both juvenile fish stages
are extremely difficult to distinguish, the Government
banned the culture of this red pomfret to avoid the
possibility of accidental importation of piranha in
consignments of the red pomfret seeds. With the
successful induced spawning and domestic seed
production of red pomfret in 1989, however the
Government lifted the ban on the culture of the fish.
However, the importation of red pomfret seed is still
prohibited.
Catfish hybrid, Clarias sp
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