Marine ornamental trade in Indonesia

Trade with marine species as ornamentals is an important sector of the international pet trade. The vast majority of these species are collected from the wild and one of the top supplying countries is Indonesia. Detailed evidence on trade with marine resources in Indonesia is lacking or it is hardly accessible. Moreover, the exploitation of ornamental species seems to be mostly uncontrolled. This study presents detailed characteristics of such trade for Indonesia, including the offered species, their sizes, prices, and conservation status, based on data and information obtained from wholesalers in 2018. The main provinces of marine wildlife collecting are also identified. In total, 777 marine vertebrate and invertebrate species were traded, belonging to 174 families including two species classified as endangered: Banggai cardinal fish (Pterapogon kauderni) and zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum). Commonly traded was red lionfish (Pterois volitans), known to be a successful invader. The volume of ornamental marine fish exported from Indonesia in period 2015–2019 was 3 353 983 kgs sold for 33 123 218 USD. The province of Bali was identified as the main exporter of ornamental marine fish within Indonesia. These findings should help to establish sustainable exploitation of marine resources in relation to conservation and wildlife management

Survey of angler's internet posts confirmed the occurrence of freshwater fishes of the genus

The information regarding the fish species occurrence in rivers and lakes depends on the quantity and quality of ichthyofaunal surveys. Non-native buffalo fishes, Ictiobus cyprinellus and I. niger (Catostomidae) were introduced to pond aquaculture in the 20th century but since that time they have never been recorded from the natural environment in Europe. Forensic analysis was performed using online data from Czech anglers websites to test whether these fishes were ever caught. In total 13 records were obtained but only 3 were verified in terms of species identification, locality and date. The found records are scattered throughout the area of Czechia and they are without an obvious distribution pattern. The analysis of online fishing web sites can be considered a suitable source of additional information on the occurrence of fishes

Survey of angler's internet posts confirmed the occurrence of freshwater fishes of the genus Ictiobus (Rafinesque, 1819) in natural waters of Czechia

The information regarding the fish species occurrence in rivers and lakes depends on the quantity and quality of ichthyofaunal surveys. Non-native buffalo fishes, Ictiobus cyprinellus and I. niger (Catostomidae) were introduced to pond aquaculture in the 20th century but since that time they have never been recorded from the natural environment in Europe. Forensic analysis was performed using online data from Czech anglers websites to test whether these fishes were ever caught. In total 13 records were obtained but only 3 were verified in terms of species identification, locality and date. The found records are scattered throughout the area of Czechia and they are without an obvious distribution pattern. The analysis of online fishing web sites can be considered a suitable source of additional information on the occurrence of fishes

(von Martens) has invaded Indonesian territory west of the Wallace Line: evidences from Java

Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens) (Decapoda: Astacidea: Parastacidae) is commercially exploited and has been intentionally introduced to various tropical and subtropical countries. Once established in the wild, it frequently becomes invasive. In Indonesia, this crayfish is native only to the southern part of the Papua Province. Cherax quadricarinatus is produced in semi-intensive farms for food as well as for ornamental purposes on most of Indonesian territory. We present here the first record of this species from Java, where this crayfish has formed at least two established feral populations. In total, eight subadult and adult crayfish of both sexes were captured in two natural lakes in the city of Bogor, West Java Province. Based on climate match, we suggest that C. quadricarinatus has high potential to become established within most of Indonesian territory. As a rapidly growing species with broad tolerance to varying environmental conditions, its spread is expected and it should be viewed as a possible threat to native decapod crustaceans. Detailed monitoring is therefore needed

Risk assessment of pet-traded decapod crustaceans in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the leading country in Central Asia

The pet trade with decapod crustaceans has been considered one of the main pathway of introduction of these animals worldwide. As the leading markets in this regards are the Czech Republic, Germany and the USA. Central Asia is not perceived as an important market with ornamental decapod crustaceans. Despite this assumption, we found at least 16 species of freshwater shrimp, crayfish and crab species pet-traded in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the largest country in this region. Considering computed risk assessment, the origin of particular species, their availability on the market, the probability of establishment and further aspects, we identified two crayfish Procambarus clarkii and Procambarus fallax f. virginalis being the seriously hazardous taxa with high potential to threaten native crayfish species as well as inhabited ecosystems. To prevent their introductions and to minimize the risks of mentioned species, similarly as in the case of European Union, we recommend the total ban of import, trade and keeping of these high-risk taxa within Central Asia

Risk assessment of pet-traded decapod crustaceans in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the leading country in Central Asia

The pet trade with decapod crustaceans has been considered one of the main pathway of introduction of these animals worldwide. As the leading markets in this regards are the Czech Republic, Germany and the USA. Central Asia is not perceived as an important market with ornamental decapod crustaceans. Despite this assumption, we found at least 16 species of freshwater shrimp, crayfish and crab species pet-traded in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the largest country in this region. Considering computed risk assessment, the origin of particular species, their availability on the market, the probability of establishment and further aspects, we identified two crayfish Procambarus clarkii and Procambarus fallax f. virginalis being the seriously hazardous taxa with high potential to threaten native crayfish species as well as inhabited ecosystems. To prevent their introductions and to minimize the risks of mentioned species, similarly as in the case of European Union, we recommend the total ban of import, trade and keeping of these high-risk taxa within Central Asia

Marine hitchhikers: a preliminary study on invertebrates unintentionally transported via the international pet trade

The pet trade in aquatic organisms is a significant source of non-indigenous species introductions. In comparison with ornamental animals, unintentionally transported invertebrate assemblages are easily overlooked by traders and keepers. Moreover, hitchhiking species detection and identification is difficult even for experts. The densities of “hitchhikers” in aquaria may be relatively higher than those in the wild. These phenomena are known in freshwater aquaria but poorly studied in marine ones. We found 17 species of non-ornamental marine invertebrates in one of the leading importers of aquarium species in the Czech Republic in November 2017. The set comprised six gastropods, two bivalves, three cnidarians, two echinoderms, two crustaceans, and two polychaete worms. In one case, a symbiont was also detected, associated with the host “hitchhiker”. No “live rocks” are traded by the surveyed wholesaler. Thus, the found animals were not imported together with this item as larvae or eggs. Contrary to the transport of targeted ornamental species, it is clear that transport of “hitchhikers” is occurring despite standard legislative regulations and should be brought to the attention of conservationists, wildlife managers, policymakers and other stakeholders

Marine ornamental trade in Indonesia

Trade with marine species as ornamentals is an important sector of the international pet trade. The vast majority of these species are collected from the wild and one of the top supplying countries is Indonesia. Detailed evidence on trade with marine resources in Indonesia is lacking or it is hardly accessible. Moreover, the exploitation of ornamental species seems to be mostly uncontrolled. This study presents detailed characteristics of such trade for Indonesia, including the offered species, their sizes, prices, and conservation status, based on data and information obtained from wholesalers in 2018. The main provinces of marine wildlife collecting are also identified. In total, 777 marine vertebrate and invertebrate species were traded, belonging to 174 families including two species classified as endangered: Banggai cardinal fish (Pterapogon kauderni) and zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum). Commonly traded was red lionfish (Pterois volitans), known to be a successful invader. The volume of ornamental marine fish exported from Indonesia in period 2015–2019 was 3 353 983 kgs sold for 33 123 218 USD. The province of Bali was identified as the main exporter of ornamental marine fish within Indonesia. These findings should help to establish sustainable exploitation of marine resources in relation to conservation and wildlife management

Two species of illegal South American sailfin catfish of the genus

Sailfin catfish indigenous to South America are very popular ornamental fish, having previously been introduced to many regions outside their native range. Two species, namely Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus and P. pardalis, are illegal but widespread in Indonesia. They have formed self-sustaining populations, exploited for feeding of domestic animals and locally for human consumption. Also possible hybrids of the two mentioned species were recorded. The surveyed populations were considered established which perfectly fits with the climate matching analysis. Further monitoring and inspection of regions highlighted to be suitable for sailfin catfish is recommended