Ornamental fish
Keeping ornamental fish in captivity (eg. aquaria or garden ponds) is an increasingly popular pastime in NSW. Many hundreds of fish species, both native and exotic, are sold for this purpose by aquarium suppliers.
While keeping fish can be a great hobby, some of the fish introduced into Australia for use in aquaria are a potential threat to our native fishes and other wildlife. Because of this, some ornamental fish are considered noxious in NSW.
Noxious fish
A number of fish species (including some kept as ornamental specimens) have been declared as noxious species in NSW. Although some of these species can still legally be kept in NSW, I&I NSW discourage their use wherever possible.
Changes to the NSW Noxious fish list
In 2006, a national strategy titled "A Strategic Approach to Management of Ornamental Fish in Australia" was developed. The Strategy was created to provide consistency across the states and territories in managing ornamental fish, including for commercial and hobbyist operations, and for noxious ornamental fish species. The Strategy (among other goals) outlines a National Noxious Fish List, and Grey List fish species. I&I NSW is actively adopting the Strategy, including adopting the Nationally Agreed Noxious Fish List into fisheries legislation, which will result in a significant increase in the number of fish species listed as noxious in NSW.
The grey list species are being assessed by a National Technical Working Group, and where required, consultation with industry and hobbyist groups is being undertaken in each State and Territory to seek advice on species proposed to be listed as noxious. For these purposes, a consultation group, the NSW Ornamental Fish Reference Group has been established, with representation from the major industry and hobby groups in NSW. Representatives from the NSW Ornamental Fish Reference Group provide information regarding the National process to their respective Associations, Councils and Group members and provide any comments back to I&I NSW. Any comments or concerns raised through this process are then forwarded to the National Ornamental Fish Management Implementation Group for consideration.
For current information relating to noxious listing see updates below:
Don’t dump that fish!
Species such as gambusia and carp illustrate the damage that can be caused if exotic fish escape or are released into natural waterways. For example, wild carp which are now so abundant in the Murray-Darling Basin are thought to have come from interbreeding between escaped ornamental (koi) carp and an escaped hybrid strain. Gambusia are now listed as a 'key threatening process' by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (www.environment.nsw.gov.au) because of their impacts on native frogs.
Other exotic aquarium species which have now established wild populations in NSW include:
- goldfish (Carassius auratus)
- oriental weatherloach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
- speckled mosquitofish (Phalloceros caudimaculatus)
- white cloud mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes)
- green swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri)
- Jack Dempsey (eight banded) cichlid (Cichlasoma octofasciatum)
- and various freshwater weeds such as Salvinia, Cabomba and Alligator weed.
Even species which occur naturally in another part of Australia can cause problems if introduced into an area outside their natural range (eg. banded grunter and aquarium Caulerpa).
For this reason, aquarium fish, snails or weed should NEVER be released or disposed of into the wild, and outdoors facilities such as ponds should be designed so that fish cannot escape or be washed out during heavy rain. Any unwanted aquarium fish should be given to a petshop or friend, or disposed of humanely.
Native fishes can be an attractive and interesting alternative to keeping exotic fish in aquaria. Many species can be obtained from aquarium shops, native plant nurseries or water garden suppliers. (NOTE: native fish cannot be collected from the wild to keep in ponds or aquaria without a specific permit). However, the same care should be taken to prevent release of native fish into the wild, as they could still have an impact on local populations.
Importation of fish
I&I NSW maintains a list of fish species which cannot be imported (live) into NSW without a specific permit. These are species which have been identified as potentially posing a significant threat to native wildlife, ecosystems, human health or the State's aquaculture industries. Applying for an import permit.