ASFB Home > 2003 > Biological Invasions: Consequences for Parasites, Pathogens, Emerging Diseases, and Fisheries in the Marine Environment.

Potential spread and impact of a little known alien fish introduced into Australia: the Oriental weatherloach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus).

Tarmo A. Raadik and Wayne Koster

Freshwater Ecology, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, VIC 3084 Australia.
Email: Tarmo.raadik@nre.vic.gov.au

Oriental weatherloach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, a coldwater fish endemic to eastern Asia, was first recorded from the wild in Australia in 1980 and has become established and is expanding its range. It has received very little attention from fisheries agencies, and little is known of its biology and ecology in western literature, and more importantly of the potential risks and impacts the species may pose on native aquatic fauna in recipient waters. As part of a Murray-Darling 2001 FishRehab funded program, a scoping study was undertaken to define the biology and ecology of Oriental weatherloach, determine factors responsible for its continued spread in Australia, define its current and potential future range, and the potential risks and impacts of the species. A comprehensive understanding of current knowledge on this species is required to underpin future management decisions. We present the results of the study, detailing the introduction and spread of weatherloach into Australia, aspects of their biology which make them suited to Australian environments, disease, vectors of dispersal, current management and control options. Their environmental adaptability, high competitive ability, reproductive output, survivorship and dispersal, indicate that weatherloach could potentially expand their range over a large portion of Australia. Whilst impacts are poorly known, experience in pest management suggests we should adopt a precautionary approach to the management of this species.

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