Firstpost
  • Home
  • Video Shows
    Vantage Firstpost America Firstpost Africa First Sports
  • World
    US News
  • Explainers
  • News
    India Opinion Cricket Tech Entertainment Sports Health Photostories
  • Asia Cup 2025
Apple Incorporated Modi ji Justin Trudeau Trending

Sections

  • Home
  • Live TV
  • Videos
  • Shows
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Health
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • Web Stories
  • Business
  • Impact Shorts

Shows

  • Vantage
  • Firstpost America
  • Firstpost Africa
  • First Sports
  • Fast and Factual
  • Between The Lines
  • Flashback
  • Live TV

Events

  • Raisina Dialogue
  • Independence Day
  • Champions Trophy
  • Delhi Elections 2025
  • Budget 2025
  • US Elections 2024
  • Firstpost Defence Summit
Trending:
  • Charlie Kirk shot dead
  • Nepal protests
  • Russia-Poland tension
  • Israeli strikes in Qatar
  • Larry Ellison
  • Apple event
  • Sunjay Kapur inheritance row
fp-logo
After floods, Kerala now faces an invasion from piranha, African catfish and other non-native predatorial fish
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter
Apple Incorporated Modi ji Justin Trudeau Trending

Sections

  • Home
  • Live TV
  • Videos
  • Shows
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Health
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • Web Stories
  • Business
  • Impact Shorts

Shows

  • Vantage
  • Firstpost America
  • Firstpost Africa
  • First Sports
  • Fast and Factual
  • Between The Lines
  • Flashback
  • Live TV

Events

  • Raisina Dialogue
  • Independence Day
  • Champions Trophy
  • Delhi Elections 2025
  • Budget 2025
  • US Elections 2024
  • Firstpost Defence Summit

After floods, Kerala now faces an invasion from piranha, African catfish and other non-native predatorial fish

tech2 News Staff • September 12, 2018, 19:49:15 IST
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter

Multiple sightings of non-native predator fish have been reported, but the ecological impact of such an invasion remains uncertain.

Advertisement
Subscribe Join Us
Choose
Firstpost on Google
Choose
Firstpost on Google
After floods, Kerala now faces an invasion from piranha, African catfish and other non-native predatorial fish

After the catastrophic floods in Kerala last month that led to massive loss of lives and property, the state is now probably staring at another crisis that is likely to threaten the ecological balance of its waterbodies. Although it is too early to gauge what the ultimate outcome might be, the sightings of predatory, alien fish species in large numbers that appear to have found their way into the state’s waterbodies, are turning out to be a cause of concern for the state. [caption id=“attachment_5171961” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Arapaima. Image courtesy Pixabay[/caption] A team of researchers from the University of Kerala, the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, and National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore carried out a quick initial assessment of the state’s waterbodies to find 11 alien species in all — four of which are invasive, a report in The Hindu says. “Globally, floodwaters have proved to be a major route for the spread of invasive species," A Biju Kumar, a professor at the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala told The Hindu. “Therefore, a precautionary approach is warranted while farming potential invasive (fish) along floodplains.” The school of alien fish appear to have washed into Kerala from ornamental and commercial fish farms in the state, said an India Times  report. Farming certain predator fish species like piranhas are banned in the state, however, commercial dealers continue to rear them illegally. Some photographs of these non-native fish have been circulated on social media over the past few days. One even shows a few men grinning at their luck after having caught a fish the size of a full-grown human. Another point of concern, the report cited, is the fitness of some of the foreign species, particularly the species known as the African catfish. This particular type of fish can grow over 50kg in size by feasting on other fish and has no known natural predators. In the weeks since the flood, the red-bellied piranha — one of the deadliest freshwater fish known to man — has also been reported by fishermen. Another new species spotted in Kerala’s newly-calm waters is the Arapaima (pictured), a vicious predator of Brazilian origin known to survive out of water for a considerable amount of time. While the sightings continue to raise concerns among Keralites, the ecological impact of having a sea of non-native, predatorial fish remains an uncertainty for now.

Tags
Environment NewsTracker science Ecology Wildlife marine ecology SciTech KeralaFloods Marine Ecosystems
  • Home
  • India
  • After floods, Kerala now faces an invasion from piranha, African catfish and other non-native predatorial fish
End of Article
Latest News
Find us on YouTube
Subscribe
  • Home
  • India
  • After floods, Kerala now faces an invasion from piranha, African catfish and other non-native predatorial fish
End of Article

Impact Shorts

News18 SheShakti 2025: Voices of cinema, sport and music redefine nation-building

News18 SheShakti 2025: Voices of cinema, sport and music redefine nation-building

At News18 SheShakti 2025 Delhi, women from sports, cinema, and music discussed breaking barriers. Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra focused on equity in cinema, Mira Erda and Ashalata Devi on sports challenges, and Kavita Krishnamurti stressed humility and perseverance for lasting success.

More Impact Shorts

Top Stories

US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth

US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth

US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'

US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'

China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands

China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands

Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit

Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit

US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth

US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth

US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'

US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'

China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands

China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands

Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit

Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit

Top Shows

Vantage Firstpost America Firstpost Africa First Sports
Enjoying the news?

Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe

QUICK LINKS

  • Mumbai Rains
Latest News About Firstpost
Most Searched Categories
  • Web Stories
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • IPL 2025
NETWORK18 SITES
  • News18
  • Money Control
  • CNBC TV18
  • Forbes India
  • Advertise with us
  • Sitemap
Firstpost Logo

is on YouTube

Subscribe Now

Copyright @ 2024. Firstpost - All Rights Reserved

About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms Of Use
Home Video Shorts Live TV