New paper on cichlid species recorded in Singapore

[Trichopsis]

Liew, J. H., H. H. Tan & D. C. J. Yeo, 2012. Some cichlid fishes recorded in Singapore. Nature in Singapore, 5: 229–236.

Free PDF here

Abstract: Six species of cichlid fishes: Apistogramma borellii, Astronotus ocellatus, Cichla temensis, Herichthys carpintis, Maylandia estherae, and Pterophyllum scalare, and an artificial hybrid, the ‘blood parrot’, are recorded from Singapore based on single or few specimens. They are believed to be discarded pets or escapees, and there is as yet no evidence of them having established self-sustaining populations in Singapore’s waterways.

Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma borellii): collected from stream in Upper Seletar Reservoir Park, outflow of Nee Soon Swamp Forest (Alarming, when you consider that Nee Soon Swamp Forest is a final refuge for many of our endangered native fishes, crustaceans, and other aquatic organisms)

Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus): observed at Singapore Botanic Gardens, Swan Lake. If released in sufficient numbers, likely to become established in urban waterbodies due to ability to survive in waters with low dissolved oxygen.

Speckled Pavon (Cichla temensis): caught by anglers at Upper Seletar Reservoir. Possibly released by anglers, like Cichla orinocensis, another species of peacock bass that has already become established in many of our reservoirs.

Green Texas Cichlid (Herichthys carpintis): collected from Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. If released in sufficient numbers, likely to become established due to it being quite aggressive and hardy. Tolerant of saline conditions, might be able to colonise mangroves, estuaries, and monsoon drains subject to tidal influence, like the Green Chromide & Mozambique Tilapia, other cichlid species already established & widespread in these habitats.

Red Zebra Mbuna (Maylandia estherae): collected from Pandan canal at Clementi.

Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare): collected from Bukit Panjang, Pangsua Pond.

Blood Parrot (possibly Amphilophus citrinellus × Paraneetroplus melanurus): collected from Bukit Panjang, Pangsua Pond. Unlike the Flowerhorn, another hybrid cichlid, it is unlikely that the Blood Parrot will be able to survive and breed in the wild in Singapore.

In other words, don't abandon your pets!

[doppelbanddwarf]

Hopefully this does not cause more hobbyists to try to catch these fishes at the locations listed and cause even more damage.

[felix_fx2]

Hopefully less abandoned pets.
The best place to net these are from hobbyist who is giving up.

Imagine a small blood parrot living with a Oscar big enough to eat it.