Occurrence of Invasive Sailfin Armoured Catfishes Pterygoplichthys spp. (Loricariidae) in Palkonda Wetland, Mahabubnagar District, Telangana, India

Abstract

The Palkonda- Peddacheruvu tank (16°44'34.7"N & 78°01'53.9"E) in the outskirts of Mahabubnagar town in Telangana, India is a sewage-fed, nutrient-rich waterbody used for fish production for the livelihood of local fishers. The sailfin armoured catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.), exotic to India, has invaded this wetland. The management and control of this catfish have been hindered because of the lack of information on its abundance, population structure, biological traits, level of establishment, and competition with native fish species. The survey conducted in July 2026 indicated the occurrence of these exotic Pterygoplichthys spp. and their initial impacts in the wetland through the collection of samples, catch data, and fishers experiences. Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis and vermiculated sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus and inter-grades (hybrids) of these two species have invaded this waterbody. The length (TL) and weight of the specimens ranged from 36 to 51 cm and from 347 to 1103 g, respectively. The results recorded in the study confirm the dominance of this genus in the surveyed area, with a relative abundance of 50.48% compared with tilapia (37.91%) and commercial carps (11.61%). Pterygoplichthys spp. have successfully colonised the sensitive Palkonda- Peddacheruvu tank and might easily spread to neighbouring water bodies and cause ecological and economic disturbance unless preventive measures are taken, as the genus poses a high invasive risk in the region.