|
International Introductions of
Channa maculata Introductions as compiled by FAO |
| Main Ref: | FAO 1997 | ||||
| To: | Madagascar | ||||
| FAO area: | Africa-Inland Waters | ||||
| From: | China | ||||
| FAO area: | Asia - Inland waters | ||||
| Year: | |||||
| Range: | 1976 - 1978 | ||||
| Period: | 1975-1999 | ||||
| Established in the wild: | established, natural reproduction | ||||
| Established in aquaculture: | - rarely used | ||||
| Significant ecological interactions: | probably some - adverse | ||||
| Significant socio-economic effects: | probably some - adverse | ||||
| Introduced by: | unknown | ||||
| Reason: | ornamental | ||||
| Other reason: | fisheries | ||||
| Comments: | Introduced by then President Didier Ratsiraka. Initially stocked in Antananarivo (upper reaches of Betsiboka river) and Vatomandry on east coast. Flooding from monsoon rains washed the snakeheads out of ponds in both localities and into adjacent natural waters (Ref. 52954). Introduced to Lac Itasy in 1978 (Ref. 52954). Recorded from all basins between Ivoloina and the lower Mangoro river (Ref. 26236, 52954). The Ophicephalus is a carnivorous and very prolific species. During the reproduction it is extremely voracious and eats any kind of fish. For this reason local farmers are asking for its eradication, but the control is quite difficult as the consumers do not like its flash. What's more the fisheries production is decreasing in lakes where the Ophicephalus is present. Ref: Gill, T.N., 1862 | ||||
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