Bangladesh bans suckermouth catfish in light of threats to native fish species

Bangladesh bans suckermouth catfish in light of threats to native fish species

Source: mongabay

2/23/2023

Considering its aggressive breeding nature and the threats the species poses to native fish populations, the Bangladesh government has recently banned suckermouth fish.
The suckermouth catfish is mainly an aquarium species that was imported into Bangladesh in the 1980s as an ornamental fish and later introduced into water bodies that are home to the country’s main sources of native fish.

However, in recent years, the number of suckerfish has increased manifold as local fish species have decreased.
Earlier, in 2002, Bangladesh banned two other fish species: African catfish and piranhas.