Download Pest Fish - Environment Southland

Pest Animal Factsheet
pest fish
Rudd, Tench, Orfe, Koi Carp, Catfish and Gambusia
Introduction
Strategy Rules
Rudd, Tench, Orfe, Koi carp and Catfish are
all members of a group commonly referred
to as “coarse fish”. Coarse fish are a group
of fish with large scales. Catfish may
grow up to 3 kg in weight, with their most
distinctive feature being the large head, with
long whisker-like barbels around the mouth.
1. No person shall possess, sell, offer for
sale, propagate, transport or release
Rudd, Tench, Orfe, Koi Carp, Catfish or
Gambusia in the Southland region.
2. Every person who sees, or suspects
the presence of, any of these pest fish
in Southland must immediately report
the sighting or possible presence to
Environment Southland.
This rule does not in any way derogate from
S.26zm of the Conservation Act 1987, the
transfer or release of live aquatic life.
Gambusia (sometimes known as Mosquito
fish) are small fish introduced to New
Zealand to control Mosquito larvae, but
ironically, they are not very good at it!
None of these fish species are known to be
present in Southland or the South Island,
but are major pests in many other regions of
New Zealand.
What is the problem?
Control
Environment Southland will carry out control
of these species in conjunction with other
agencies.
These fish species can reach very high
population numbers. They can severely
reduce trout, whitebait and native fish
populations through predation of young and
eggs and through competition for food. Koi
Carp and Catfish can also reduce water
quality as their feeding habits stir up large
amounts of mud and sediment leading to a
decline in freshwater quality and in extreme
cases may increase bank erosion.
Pest Classification
Rudd, Tench, Orfe and Catfish are
Exclusion animals throughout the
Southland region.
Koi carp and Gambusia are designated as
“Unwanted Organisms”.
Figure 1 - Gambusia
Pest Animal Factsheet
Advice & Information
To find out more information contact:
Biosecurity Officer
Environment Southland
Private Bag 90116, Invercargill
Figure 2 - Bullnose Catfish
Figure 3 - Koi Carp
Figure 4 - Rudd
Figure 5 - Tench
Phone
03 211 5115
Toll free
0800 76 88 45
Fax
03 211 5252
E-mail
[email protected]
Website
www.es.govt.nz