Journal of Fisheries and Life Sciences

Author(s): Md. Shamim Hossain, Shoaibe Hossain Talukder Shefat, Gulshan Ara Latifa & Md. Abu Obaida

Abstract: Introduction of invasive species is one of the major causes of native biodiversity loss as they can alter and degrade the habitat status; reduce food supplies, and poses threats to the environment. The croaking gourami Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831), a Southeast Asian freshwater teleost fish from Osphronemidae family, is generally known as an invasive alien species. Recently, a notable number of individuals of this species have been recorded from the southeastern Feni-Muhuri river system of Bangladesh during the study period from December 2017 to August 2018. Taxonomic identification was confirmed from the external appearance, morphometric measurements and meristic counts of the species. The body was laterally elongated with clearly visible stripes and black blotch above the pectoral fin base. Average total length, standard length, pre-dorsal length, pelvic fin base length, dorsal fin base length, anal-fin base length, and pectoral-fin base length were 5.3 cm, 3.64 cm, 2.36 cm, 2.17 cm, 1.95 cm, 1.5 cm, and 1.0 cm. The number of rays in the dorsal fin, anal fin, pectoral fin, pelvic fin, and caudal fin were 7-10, 31-34, 9-11, 5-8 and 14-17. The occurrence of T. vittata in this river indicates their rapid spreading across the country within a very short time. It is quite obvious that they must compete for niche space and food with native fish species and affect the native fish biodiversity. So, intensive research works along with counter survey are recommended to cross-check their spreading pattern, ecological sensitivity and impacts on native fish biodiversity for proper management and conservation