farming- a threat to local population in Purba Medinipur

Angsuman Chanda www.rnlkwc.ac.in PG Department of Zoology, Raja N. L. Khan Women’s College (Autonomous), Midnapur, PaschimMedinipur, West Bengal, India. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Received: 28.04.2019 Recently introduced Pacu in Purba Medinipur district is Revised: 26.05.2019 picking up fast without envisaging scientific track to promote or regulate Accepted: 02.06.2019 it. The unofficially introduced Pacu in India is projected to be brachypomus relying on the identifying characteristics. However, the species available in aquaculture and that in aquarium trade is yet to be scientifically validated. The identification of juvenile fish available at hatcheries, farms and aquarium shops based on morphological features may not be correct particularly when possibility of existing different species of Pacu and their interspecific hybrids may exist. Monitoring, risk assessment and identification of the individual species should bescientifically conducted. In Purba Medinipur, the farm-raised Pacu grows well but its production differs from farm to farm. The fish can utilize diets high in carbohydrates and plant proteins, tolerates poor water quality conditions, varied environments and culture conditions. Breeding of the fish is now well established for its farm raising and propagation yet ornamental value of the fish has also further fascinated aquarium shopkeepers and hobbyists to keep and propagate it in Purba Medinipur. Farm raising, hatchery production and aquarium trading of Pacu facilitated inadvertent releases of introduced Pacu which has gravitated into several natural water bodies. It is proposed that the available Pacu farms and hatcheries need to be urgently registered in view of proper Keyword: management and scientific regulations on Pacu farming. Based on the Pacu, field oriented information presented in this study, there are several Culture, adverse ecological concerns and consequences are observed. The issues Impact, and concerns of rapid expansion of Pacu in Purba Medinipur draws Local, attention of the policy makers and the scientific community to address Diversity, them keeping in view of the larger interest of the farmer’s community, Purba, Medinipur. society and the environment. Introduction region (Day, 1889), was probably the first person Introduction of exotic fishes in the Indian waters who tried to introduce the brown can be traced back more than a century old trout, Salmotrutta fario in the Nilgiri waters in history. While the country was under the British the year 1863, but his attempt was unsuccessful rule, such fisheries were possibly introducedfor (Jhingran, 1975). This was followed by recreational fisheries. Sir Francis Day, the author introduction of several exotic fish species from of the classical work on the Fish fauna of Indian various parts of the world to different regions

104 International Research Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences • ISSN: 2455-6718 : RNI : WBENG/2016/76189 • Vol. 4 • 2019 of India for augmenting fish production through speciescalled is also available which aquaculture, for sport fishery, for mosquito belongs to the family Characidae and subfamily control, weed control, for ornamental purpose belonging to the samegroup (Jegu etc with successes and failures. The larvaecidal M. 2003). The morphological information, fishes, such as, Poecilia characteristics and biology of found in retiuculta and Gambusia affinis were India are yet to be scientifically validated. At introduced in the year 1908 and 1928 the juvenile stage, Pacu resembles piranha respectively, to control mosquito larvae in (Pygocentrus natteri), but differs greatly in confined waters. But the larvaecidal value of behaviour and feeding habits even though they these species is not well established. There are belong to the same family (Singh and Lakra hundreds of ornamental fish species being 2011).Since the boundaries of the country are imported to our country since the aquarium trade porous, Pacu piracy and unauthorized is in progressive growth stage but insecticidal introductions have been carried out (Singh and value of these species is not well established. Lakra 2011) and actually needed scientific The ornamental fishes, although remain information are lacking. The unofficial culture confined to aquarium tanks, their release into and breeding of Pacu in India has natural habitats is not uncommon and the beenexpanding during recent past causing impacts in case of escapee were not yet assessed. concern of local fish biodiversity management The so-called fish Pacu, Piaractus and encouraging aquaculture for food security. brachypomus(Cuvier 1818) was unofficially As per reports available, a significant subset of introduced possibly during 2012 via Bangladesh alienspecies can become invasive and have (Chatterjee and Mazumdar, 2009;Singh and serious adverse impacton biodiversity and Lakra2011). As per information available in related ecosystem services, as well as haveother Fishbase, there are 12 species of Pacus (Froese, social and economic impact (Singh and Lakra Rainer and Pauly. 2017). The popular species 2011). Internationally, culture and breeding of Pacu are Colossomama cropomum technology of Pacus, Colossomama cropomum (), Piaractus brachypomusand (tambaqui), and . Red-bellied Pacuand Piaractus mesopotamicus is now well black Pacuhave been reported from India (Singh, established andavailable (Hashimoto, Senhorini Dinesh, and Abubakar, 2012).Nevertheless, and Foresti, 2012). However, it is also important Piaractus brachypomus (Cuvier 1818) to mention that inrecent years, hybrids of Pacus commonly known asPacu, pirapitinga, have also been produced andreported to roopchand is understood to be available atmany represent recent advances in aquaculture of Pacu of the farms, markets and aquarium shops of (Hashimoto, Senhorini and Foresti, 2012). Since Indian states and the fish has got both food and three species of Pacus Colossoma macropomum ornamental value. In addition, another Pacu like (tambaqui), Piaractus brachypomus and

International Research Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences • ISSN: 2455-6718 : RNI : WBENG/2016/76189 • Vol.4 • 2019 105 Piaractus mesopotamicus are very common at species farmers are cultivating and demonstrate farms and hatcheries inseveral countries, authenticity. Absence of monitoring by morphological distinction of such unintentional competent agencies/authorities/scientific or deliberate hybrids production from the organizations, the warnings reported by parents becomes highly unidentifiable, Hashimoto et al. (2012) based on experience particularly between interspecific hybrids and elsewhere particularly in the USA and Asia will pure species individuals. It is thus difficult to be needed towards theimplementation of generate species specific information of the regulatory measures and managementon Pacu individuals available at the farms and markets. culture. Keeping in view of the above facts, Hybrids Pacucan be erroneously identified as presentscenario on the culture and breeding of pure species in breeding facilities, which might Pacu in Purba Medinipur has been synthesized reduce production on farms and negatively and presented in the present paper. Further, affect native populations due to escapes or variousenvironmental conditions required for unscientific stock ingpractices [Hashimoto, the fish to spread hasalso been generated so as Senhorini and Foresti, 2014).These deliberate to make out possible invasions. The instances or unauthorized activities of hybrid production of inadvertent releases of the fish in different are considered to be more resistant tovaried naturalaquatic bodies are highlighted besides environmental factors [Moraes, Avilez and Hori, lessons to be learnt from the other countries and even other states of our country to contemplate 2006). Further, mislabelling of theexisting scientific measures toregulate culture and species may become a cheat to the market and propagation of Pacu in Purba Medinipur. farmersas the hybrids may not be as productive and remunerative for aquaculture as that of pure Materials and Methods species (Hashimoto, Senhorini and Foresti, Present work is mainly based on the field and 2012). Nevertheless, genetic and environmental market survey during March, 2018 to February, problems are alsoforeseen and since different 2019.Pacu fish were collected and surveyed in species of Pacus are reproductively compatible different blocks like Egra-I&II, Contai-I&II, (Hashimoto, Senhorini and Foresti, 2012). The Mahisadal, Moyna, NandigramI, Panskura, propagule pressure on the Pacu fish farming in Potaspur-I&II,Bhawanpur-I&II,Tamluk of India isequal for aquaculture as food and also Purba Medinipur district. Different farm sides for ornamental keeping (Datta and Nandeesha, were also visited and their culture process was 2006; Ghosh, and Datta, 2014). It is quite likely noted. Seeds were collected from fish hatchery that attempts are in operation or maybe made of Onda, Bishnupur of Bankura district, reported towards creating fancy appearance of the fish by fish-farmers on Purba Medinipur. through crossbreeding of different species of Aquaculture of Pacu in PurbaMedinipur Pacu for value addition especially in ornamental trade. It is therefore, imperative toensure what Both red-bellied Pacu, Piaractus brachypomus

106 International Research Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences • ISSN: 2455-6718 : RNI : WBENG/2016/76189 • Vol. 4 • 2019 and the black Pacu, Colossomamacropomum mainly rohu (Labeo rohita) or even with catla have been found to grow wellin pond of Purba (Catla catla) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) at Medinipur. Pacu exhibit potential characteristics a stocking density of 7000 and 5000 per hectare feature for use in aquaculture. respectively with total production levels of 12- Pacu can: 15 MT/ha. Although Piaractus branchypomus is one of the introduced species being cultured • reproduce under captive conditions in the district alone in an area of over 1200 • thrive low on the food chain hectares, its compatibility with Indian major • accept prepared feed carps in mixed/poly culture has not been fully understood but still it is cultured. Nevertheless, • tolerate hares and hardyenvironmental there is no standard practice of its culture;the conditions farmers are doing it at their own discretions • can easily be handled, andconvenience. The production of the fish • grow rapidly varies from farm to farm and overall production in the district is assessed to cross 0.1 million • be cultivated in high density tonnes/ha/year. • be marketed and have consumer’s acceptability Invasion risks of Pacu in natural water bodies • fetch good price and Introduction of fish species is a globally • be preferred as food as well as ornamental fish. widespread practicethat is now serious They exhibit fast growth, and are able to utilize consideration as such practices cause lossesto diets havinghigh in carbohydrates and plant native species and homogenization of diversity proteins. They are resistance topoor water within andacross continents (Singh and Lakra quality conditions and diseases having good 2011). In Florida, Pacu was first observed in fleshquality. Theyhave high ornamental value the wild during the 1960’s and initially the Pacu and attractive aquaculture characteristics. Red- population was thought to be non-breeding and bellied Pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, is though existed only as the escapees of residential native of Brazil is now introduced tostudy area aquariums and hence non-invasive. However, via Bangladesh. It iscultivated in Purba they later on colonised and today they are Medinipur, under extensive or semi-intensive everywhere, from South Florida canals, to Lake type ofculture both as monoculture Okeechobee and through-outmost of the andpolyculture system.Pacu in the study area is continental United States (Howard and Brian, mostly cultivated in Inland water of Moyna, 2012). Invasions of red-bellied Pacu populations Tamluk, Panskura, Khajury, Bhawanpur, Egra have further been reported from many other and Contai block of the district.In most of the countries such as Philippines, Iran, and Hungary areas, Pacu is cultured in combination with etc. Pacu being South American native fish

International Research Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences • ISSN: 2455-6718 : RNI : WBENG/2016/76189 • Vol.4 • 2019 107 hasbeen reported to occur near Yuma, Arizona native fish species are often considered to pose in June 2006 and inNew Jersy in June 2015 a threat to biodiversity, and these effects on (Howard and Brian, 2012). The occurrence of aquatic biodiversity can result from competition Pacu has alsobeen reported in Denmark, for food and space, habitat destruction, Michigan and other places. However, alteration of ecosystems and genetic interaction invasiveness of the species has yet to be through hybridization. It is believed that the determined. So far as the ecological issues are introduction of farmed non-native species such concerned, there is a report from Papua New as Pacu has an adverse impact on small Guinea in 2011, where incidence of twohuman indigenous aquatic species of Purba Medinipur. deaths was reported due to Pacu attack by biting Although non-native species were introduced off thetesticles of fishermen (Rick, 2013). The only for aquaculture in India, they are often species possesses a powerfuldentition that can found in inland rivers, reservoirs, floodplains, also cause serious bites to humans and canals and wetlands. Purba Medinipur is a flood- otheraquatic organisms and damage to fishing prone district of West Bengal, especially Moyna nets such as gill andcast nets as reported in the block of the district where non-native species reservoir of Pune, India (Singh and Lakra 2011). can easily spread from closed culture systems Someof the reports available from different to open water resources during the monsoon countrieswhere Pacuwere introduced and season. Scientists have noted that this spread of escaped into natural aquatic bodies arepresented the fast-growing, non-native fish like Pacu here so as to understand possible risks of its impacts native ecosystems and threatens native cultureand propagation keeping in view of the aquatic species. Populations of these introduced international scenario. fish have seen exponential growth and are Therefore, Pacu culture in Purba Medinipur is rapidly extending their range outside the points at high risk of escaping from farm to the natural of introduction. water bodies especially in flood prone blocks There is a worrying increase in the number of like Moyna, Panskura and Tamluk sadar. As like non-native fish species being detected in rivers, other invasive species Pacu also causes lakes, reservoirs, irrigational tanks and canals ecological adverse effect on local population. in recent years. The non-native fishes moved Adverse effects on local species into open waters inadvertently or due to In spite of their significant contributions in unawareness or lack of knowledge of the aquaculture and ornamental trading, there is aquaculturists and farmers. The impact of such debate over the introduction of non-native escapee fishes have been assessed and found to species. Any new species introduced to an cause ecological problems in several natural ecosystem has an impact, although in most aquatic systems. Ecological risks have been cases, the effects may remain unnoticed. Non- mainly caused by non-native species that have

108 International Research Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences • ISSN: 2455-6718 : RNI : WBENG/2016/76189 • Vol. 4 • 2019 become fully established and acclimatized in (Johnson, Paromita and Sivakumar, 2014; natural ecosystems and show naturally Laxmappa, 2016). reproducing populations. In suitable conditions, Therefore, like Kerala, Telangana and adjoining such species produce abundant populations and regions, West Bengal as well as Purba causes a permanent alteration in the local Medinipur are also infested by the illegally ecosystem. imported cultivable fish, P. brachypomus. Discussion Conclusion Occurrences of red-bellied Pacu in Purba Some of the recent reports on the incidents of Medinipur have been recorded from several inadvertent releases of Pacu that gravitated into natural aquatic bodies raising alarms and natural water bodie sespecially in Purba concernsof scientists. It is recorded to occur in Medinipur are definitely considered as serious the Moyna,Tamluk and Panskura Block of Purba concern and are alarming in response to the Medinipur District is the initial alarm to native heedless interventions of the aquaculturists and aqua-fauna of the region. In India, Pacu has emanating environmental changes. The Pacu already been reported from Pamba River in introduction in India has notbeen scientifically Kerala, which is known for its inland fishery evaluated and hence its invasiveness stillremains resources andgreat biodiversity (Rani, Dharan a query. A plastic diet, large body size and and Sherly, 2017). Zeena and Beevi (2014) longevity(up to 70 cm SL and 28 years) reportedcaptures of Pacu from Muvattupuzha (Loubens, Panfili and Biologie,2001) and the River, Kerala. The occurrence of Piaractus capacity to achievelarge local abundances and brachypomushas also been interestingly wide distributions, are some of the reported from the Vembanad Lake. The characteristics that support the invasive Vembanad Lake is the largest coastal lagoon on characters of thespecies (Singh and Lakra 2011). the southwest coast of India with a catchment Whatsoever may be the scenario, established area of 14500 km2 drained by seven rivers selfsustaining populations P. brachypomus have which are the Chalakudy, Periyar, not been recordedso far due to the low frequency Muvattupuzha, Meenachil, Manimala, Pamba of individuals occurring in natural aquatic and Achankovil, along with alarge number of habitats. Nevertheless, there is a great possibility canals originating and flowing through Western that a gradual release of these long-living fishes Ghats. The region is known as one of the 34 provides favourable conditions for growth, global biodiversity hotspots of the world spawning, and establishment. The possibilities (Srinivas, Revichandran and Maheswaran, of adversities on the biodiversity and ecosystem 2003). Presence of red-bellied Pacu, Piaractus services attract serious attention of the brachypomushas also been reported from policymakers and the scientific community to Krishna and Godavari rivers of Telangana address them looking into larger interest of the

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