The introduced fishes of Papua New Guinea with special reference to Tilapia mossambica

Abstract

Twenty-one species of freshwater fishes in 19 genera ( Salmo, Salvelinus, Retropinna, Barbus, Ctenopharyngodon, Cyprinus, Hypophthalmichthys, Puntius, Tandanus, Gambusia, Poecilia, Percolates, Plectroplites, Bidyanus, Tilapia, Trachystoma, Hypseleotris, Osphronemus and Trichogaster) representing 11 families and all six continental regions have been introduced into Papua New Guinea. A list of species, date of first introduction, distribution and comments are presented. The dispersal of Tilapia mossambica on Bougainville Island from a single introduction followed by floods and human transport is discussed.