CASE STUDY: JACK DEMPSEY CICHLID

UPDATED: NOVEMBER 2017

A case study of an aggressive, illegally released aquarium fish.

Species Jack Dempsey cichlid (Cichlasoma octofasciatum).

Origin North and Central America.

Australian occurrence NSW – in a popular swimming pool (an isolated flooded quarry) on the far north coast near Yamba.1 Jack Dempsey cichlids are adaptable, prolific breeders. Photo: Nikonian Novice | CC BY-ND 2.0 Potential environmental Likely pathways new fish pathogens and parasites has impacts 10 Probably illegally released from an not been adequately addressed. The features that make cichlids popular Whittington and Chong (2007) advise pets are also those that contribute to aquarium when the owner no longer wanted them. that ‘the number of species traded and their invasive potential: ‘they are hardy, the number of sources permitted need 2 adaptable and breed prolifically’. In to be dramatically reduced to facilitate their native range Jack Dempsey cichlids BIOSECURITY ISSUES hazard identification, risk assessment and inhabit swampy areas with warm, murky import quarantine controls.’ water. Of great concern is that they are Summary highly aggressive fish (named after the Attempts to eradicate Jack Dempsey Response to incursion heavyweight boxer Jack Dempsey) and cichlids from NSW have been are likely to dominate and compete with unsuccessful. They are one of about 30 When Jack Dempseys were discovered native fish populations. They eat almost aquarium fish species now established in the flooded quarry near Yamba in anything smaller than themselves, in Australian waterways.7 They highlight 2004, the NSW government attempted 3 including fish, invertebrates and frogs. the importance of preventing new eradication by explosives, a technique As a relatively large carnivore they could incursions due to the extreme difficulty of successfully used in WA, after which directly impact on a wide range of native eradicating feral fish populations. Australian bass were released into the fish.4 Females lay about 500-800 eggs pool to prey on any remaining larvae per clutch and both parents aggressively or juveniles.11 Unfortunately, some Jack protect the eggs. The introduction of Risk assessment and Dempseys survived. The government disease into wild fish populations is contingency planning concluded, ‘It is possible that the fish are also of great concern.5 Many pathogens More than two-thirds of naturalised fish very hardy and some survived the blasts, and parasites have been recorded in in Australia have come from the aquarium or alternatively they may have been imported ornamental fish in quarantine trade. Several hundred ornamental deliberately re-introduced.’ No further and post-quarantine in Australia. Jack fish species are permitted for import eradication attempts have been made. Dempsey cichlids can tolerate low into Australia, including more than 8 oxygen levels, so can inhabit degraded 250 freshwater species. In 2004-05, 15 Threat abatement waters.6 million fish were imported.9 Corfield et al. (2008) note that risk assessments rely Non-native fish species are ‘implicated on overseas information and are likely in the decline of 42% of Australian native Potential social and economic 12 to be of limited value in many cases in fish and several frog species’. In 2011 impacts predicting the likelihood of environmental the national Threatened Species Scientific These potential impacts include costs impacts in Australian waters. We do not Committee judged that ‘The introduction of control, impacts on recreationally know of any contingency planning for in Australian inland waters of native or valued fish and the spread of disease into aquarium fish incursions. As well as the non-native fish that are outside their economically or recreationally valued fish. risks of aquarium fish establishing in natural geographic distribution’ met the the wild, the risks of them introducing

CASE STUDY: Jack Dempsey cichlid | PAGE 1 Just like their namesake Jack Dempsey, the boxing champion, Jack Dempsey cichlids are highly aggressive.

criteria for a key threatening process information about the Invasive Species 6 Corfield et al. (2008). (KTP), but the environment minister Council and to get in touch. 7 Corfield et al. (2008). rejected the advice of the committee 13 8 Department of the Environment and Energy to list it as a KTP. The refusal to list (or (2017). even assess invasive species KTPs)14 has REFERENCES 9 Corfield et al. (2008). become a pattern at the federal level, Corfield J, Diggles B, Jubb C, McDowall R, undermining the capacity to take a Moore A, Richards A, Rowe D. 2008. Review 10 Whittington and Chong (2007). national approach to many very serious of the impacts of introduced ornamental fish 11 Department of Primary Industries (nd). invasive species threats. species that have established wild populations 12 Moore et al. (2010). in Australia. Prepared for the Australian 13 Threatened Species Scientific Committee Government Department of the Environment, (2011). Water, Heritage and the Arts. CHANGES NEEDED 14 The Invasive Species Council made Risk reduction Department of the Environment and Energy. two nominations that were refused for 2017. List of Specimens taken to be Suitable assessment on the basis that ‘novel • A national strategy as well as stronger for Live Import as amended on 20 May 2017 biota’ were being assessed as a KTP. This regulation of the aquarium fish trade are made under section 303EB of the Environment effectively shuts down the capacity to use needed to reduce the risks of aquarium Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act the national threat abatement process fish establishing in Australian waterways. to assist with addressing invasive species 1999. (https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/ problems not already listed. • Key threatening processes should be F2017C00434) listed based on scientific advice rather Department of Primary Industries. 2004. Jack than being at ministerial discretion. Dempsey pest fish out for the count. Media • Jack Dempsey cichlids should be release, 26 August 2004. (http://www.dpi.nsw. eradicated and funding be made gov.au/archive/news-releases/fishing-and- aquaculture/2004/26_aug_04_-_jack_dempsey_ available to eradicate other recently pest_fish_out_for_the_count) established exotic fish species. Department of Primary Industries. nd. Jack Dempsey cichlid. NSW government. (http:// ABOUT OUR CASE www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/pests-diseases/ STUDIES freshwater-pests/species/jack-dempsey) Moore A, Marton N, McNee A. 2002. A Our case studies illustrate the need for Strategic Approach to the Management of changes in how Australia prevents the Ornamental Fish in Australia. Bureau of Rural establishment of new invasive species. Sciences. They were compiled using publicly available information at the time of the last update. We would welcome new ENDNOTES Stronger biosecurity is vital to information or updates to biosecurity protect the highly endemic wildlife 1 Department of Primary Industries (nd). of Australia and its many special response for inclusion in future updates. 2 Department of Primary Industries (nd). wild places. This is Lord Howe Island, where invasive species have 3 Department of Primary Industries (2004). already caused several extinctions. CONTACT US 4 Corfield et al. (2008). Photo: Robert Whyte • Visit invasives.org.au for more 5 Whittington and Chong (2007).

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