Inland Fisheries

1.1.3.4. Exotic fishes in inland ecosystems

Some exotic fishes have been introduced in the Indian waters for sport, food, vector control and ornamental purposes. A few important exotic species are Salmo trutta fario, Salmo gairdneri gairdneri (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Cyprinus carpio var. specularis, C. carpio var. communis, C. carpio var. nudus, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Oreochromis mossambicus, Clarias gariepinus, Gambussia affinis, Lebestes reticulatus, Betta splendens, Xiphophorus hellerii and Carassius auratus.

While the trouts (Salmo spp.) have filled in a vacant niche in upland coldwaters, the grass carp (Ctenpharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. communis) have helped in enhancing the aquaculture production in India, but a few others like tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), Gambussia affinis and even common carp in some natural waters created competition with native species with adverse influences.