Key words: Tilapia, pest fish, invasion risk, Native Fish Strategy
Threats and Impacts: Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is a major pest fish species in Australia (Fig 1). A successful invader, it has managed to dominate natural waterways into which it has been introduced. It is not currently found in the Murray–Darling Basin; however, it has established thriving populations in catchments neighbouring the Basin. In some places, it is only a short distance from the northern headwaters. There is a high risk that this species will be introduced to the Basin.
Project aims and methods: Despite the high risk of introduction, prior to this project minimal work had been done to estimate the potential range Tilapia might occupy in the Basin, or to predict its possible impacts on natural, economic or social assets. This project set out to review available literature and assess likely impacts in an attempt to provide some information about these potential threats.
In order to estimate the potential range of Tilapia in the Murray–Darling Basin, this project set out to to:
- predict the range in the Basin where Tilapia may survive through colder winter temperatures;
- determine the length of the feasible breeding season (including the number of broods possible in that time) in different ranges; and,
- determine the portion of the year in which Tilapia may feed and is therefore likely to have impacts on ecological processes through the food web.
This included:
- estimating the lower temperature tolerance for Tilapia based on literature and survival rates of populations already infesting locations in Queensland;
- identifying the minimum winter temperatures recorded at different locations throughout the Basin; and,
- using the distribution of native fish with similar temperature tolerances to Tilapia as a surrogate.
Figure 1. Female Mozambique Tilapia carrying juveniles in her mouth (Photo courtesy of QLD DAFF)
Figure 2. male Mozambique Tilapia (Photo courtesy of QLD DAFF)
Figure 3. Stunted Tilapia (male top, female bottom) mature at only a few centimetres in length, (Photo courtesy of QLD DAFF)
Findings: Tilapia has a wide and varied diet and can occupy a diverse range of habitats, however, the one factor that appears to affect Tilapia is its vulnerability to cold temperatures. Based upon minimum temperature tolerated by Tilapia and the minimum water temperature data available, Tilapia have the potential to infest the northern Basin in Queensland and parts of New South Wales, through the western inland catchments of NSW and down to the Lower Lakes and lower Murray in South Australia. This equates to a distribution occupying approximately half of the MDB.
Tilapia is capable of sustaining reproducing populations under the conditions found in much of the MDB, as breeding and feeding can occur for significant portions of the year. In the northern parts of the Basin, and many southern parts, median water temperatures could see a breeding season of at least 3–6 months in duration with around 4–6 broods for each female in each breeding season.
Tilapia impacts have been recorded in a number of locations both in Australia and overseas. The key impacts recorded include major declines in commercial and traditional fisheries, fish extinctions, destruction of beds of aquatic plants) and declines in water quality. Some of the predicted direct impacts of Tilapia on the Murray–Darling Basin include:
- direct predation by Tilapia;
- competition for resources (food, habitat);
- destruction of macrophytes and other aquatic plants used as breeding or nursery habitat by native species;
- habitat disturbance;
- transmission of diseases and parasites;
- competitive exclusion of native fish from favourable habitat by tilapia’s aggressive behaviour;
- increase of blue-green algal blooms (through resuspension of nutrients);
- winter die-offs of tilapia (polluting waterways); and,
- undermining river banks due to destruction of river plants and nesting behaviour.
Review of recent studies indicate that Tilapia consume juvenile native fish, including members of genera that occur in the Murray–Darling Basin, such as Rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae), Carp Gudgeons (Hypseleotris spp.), Hardyheads (Atherinidae), Bony Herring (Nematalosa erebi) and Glassfish (Ambassidae). It is possible that the potential preying of tilapia on native fish has been underestimated.
Lessons learned and future directions: This project highlighted that invasion of the MDB by Tilapia could be disastrous for many (up to 18) native fish species of the MDB. Areas and species most at risk from Tilapia and the likely impacts if invasion occurred were identified. The study recommends a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach with respect to Tilapia invasion and highlights education and awareness as a key factor. This review should be most pertinent in areas close to current distribution of wild tilapia populations (i.e. north-eastern MDB).
Stakeholders and Funding bodies: This project was funded through the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Native Fish Strategy.
Contacts: Dr Michael Hutchison, Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. Tel: + 61 7 3400 2037, Email: Michael.Hutchison@daff.qld.gov.au
Link: http://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/Tilapia-report.pdf
EMR Project Summaries 