Discarded from aquariums, exotic South American fish invades Noyyal tanks in Coimbatore
Invasive South American suckerfish, likely discarded from home aquariums, are proliferating in the Noyyal river system in Coimbatore. Local fishermen report that these fish are disrupting native aquatic biodiversity and impacting their daily catches.
Why it matters
Demonstrates the ecological impact of invasive species introduced through the pet trade on local wetlands and livelihoods.
Discarded from aquariums, exotic South American fish invades Noyyal tanks in Coimbatore left Exotic suckerfish thrown out by fishermen from Periyakulam lay on the bund road of the tank on Tuesday. WILSON THOMAS The Hindu https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/wbbn4t/article71605120.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Suckermouth%20fish%202.jpeg WILSON THOMAS Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 20/10/2026: Exotic sucker fish thrown out by fishermen from Periyakulam lay on the bund road of the tank on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Photo: Wilson Thomas / The Hindu. COIMBATORE An exotic fish from South America that is commonly used as ‘cleaners’ in aquarium tanks is believed to be posing a threat to the aquatic biodiversity of wetlands linked to River Noyyal in Coimbatore. Fishermen, whose daily earnings depend on fresh catches from Periyakulam (Ukkadam Big Tank), say that there is a sharp rise in population of this fish, which are sold by aquarium dealers as ‘suckers’ or ‘janitor fish’ as they keep tanks clean.
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