Predation of freshwater fish on golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata Lam., under screenhouse conditions

Abstract

Fish are potential predators of snails (Slootweg et al 1994, Halwart 1994). However, studies on predation by freshwater fish on the golden apple snail (GAS) ( Pomacea canaliculata Lam.) in rice fields are limited (Halwart 1994, Cagauan 1999). At the PhilRice screenhouse, we investigated the predatory effect of four freshwater fish: Oreochromis niloticus , Cyprinus carpio , red-bellied pacu Piaractus brachypomus , and Asian catfish Clarias macrocephalus on GAS. O. niloticus eats mostly plankton, C. carpio consumes detritus and benthic organisms, and P. brachypomus feeds on zooplankton, insects, snails, and decaying plants. These fish are exotic in the Philippines. C. macrocephalus , a native of many Asian countries, is carnivorous. Currently, O. niloticus , C. carpio, and C. macrocephalus are cultured as food in many Asian countries, including the Philippines. P. brachypomus , a native of Brazil, was introduced to the Philippines from Singapore between 1980 and 1989 as an ornamental aquarium fish.