Fisheries Department says the discovery of Mayan tilapia in Samut Prakan Province is not a repeat of the black-chinned tilapia.

Bangkok,, The Director-General of the Department of Fisheries stated that the incident of finding Mayan fish in a shrimp farm in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province, will not spread and invade the ecosystem, repeating the pattern of the black chin tilapia, because the Mayan fish is less resistant to adapting to its environment than the black chin tilapia. As for concerns about crossbreeding between these two species, it will not be possible because they are in different genera, but a survey of their distribution has been ordered because they are Aliean Spicies. Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, said about the news that farmers found Mayan cichlids mixed with black chin tilapia in a shrimp farm in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province that there will be no invasion of the ecosystem like the black chin tilapia because the Mayan cichlid is less resistant to the environment than the black chin tilapia. As for the Mayan cichlid, the scientific name is Mayaheros urophthalmu s (Gnther, 1862). It is a native fish originating in Central America. Its body has 7 black stripes and a prominent black spot at the base of the tail. The adult is 8-22 centimeters long and weighs up to 600 grams. It lives in both fresh and brackish water. It reproduces slowly because its reproductive behavior is to lay eggs. It is also a carnivorous fish that eats small aquatic animals, which is different from the black chin tilapia that eats a wider variety of foods. In addition, the Mayan cichlid is less resilient to environmental adaptations than the black chin cichlid. However, as for concerns about the merging and interbreeding of these two species, it is impossible as they are from different genera. In the event that farmers find Mayan tilapia in the pond, they should eliminate and control them according to the same control guidelines as for black-chinned tilapia. The steps to prepare the pond before releasing the fish fry every time should be to dry the pond, sprinkle lime, and use a filter bag to fi lter the water before entering the pond to prevent eggs and small fish fry of other aquatic animals from entering the breeding pond. Then, sow tea waste to eliminate fish and other aquatic animals that are not wanted from the pond. Let the tea waste lose its effect before releasing the fish fry into the pond. Both the Mayan and Black-chinned tilapia are invasive alien fish listed in the 13 prohibited species under Section 65 of the Fisheries Act B.E. 2558 and its amendments, which prohibits anyone from importing, exporting, transiting, breeding, or possessing them, according to the announcement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives dated 27 May 2021. Anyone who violates this rule will be prosecuted under Section 144 of the Fisheries Act B.E. 2558, punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding 1 million baht, or both. If released in an aquatic animal fishing area, the punishment is imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding 2 million baht, or both. The Depa rtment of Fisheries has ordered the Samut Prakan Provincial Fisheries Office and neighboring provincial fisheries offices to conduct a survey of the distribution of Mayan fish in natural water sources and aquatic animal farms. At the same time, we are accelerating public relations to create knowledge and understanding among farmers continuously about the elimination of this type of fish from water sources. Therefore, if you see such an incident, please notify the provincial fisheries office or the district fisheries office in every area. Source: Thai News Agency