Authorities say it poses a threat to native aquatic species

The Fisheries Department of Tiruvannamalai has told farms that rearing African catfish is an offence and anyone doing so should destroy them immediately.

In a notification, the officials claimed that the keeping them in fish farms or any other waterbodies is dangerous for other fishes reared with them.

The government imposed a ban on farming of the invasive species that is proliferating in waterbodies across the State, posing a threat to native aquatic species.

Native to Africa and the Middle East, where it inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers, swamps, and urban sewage systems, the African catfish was introduced all over the world in the early 1980s for aquaculture.

The voracious predator feeds on living and dead animal matter, including fish and invertebrates, and is known to attack small birds. Its ability to survive in shallow mud for long periods, high tolerance for poorly oxygenated water and fast breeding give it an edge over other species. It was learnt that fish farm owners feed them with waste from mutton shops, which proved more dangerous for the water quality in ponds and lakes, officials said. Rearing of African catfish can be reported at 0416-2240329 for suitable action.