An invasive species of Amazon sailfin catfish present in Pakistani waters has emerged as a serious threat to native fish and aquatic life, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
WWF officials state that so far, at least 26 non-native fish species have entered Pakistan’s natural aquatic ecosystems, disrupting the ecological balance. Among them, the Amazon sailfin catfish is particularly concerning due to its aggressive feeding behavior.
The organization explained that catfish are predatory in nature and feed on other fish and aquatic organisms, which puts local species at risk and threatens biodiversity. Environmental experts warn that the unchecked spread of such invasive species could cause long-term damage to marine and freshwater ecosystems.
WWF has urged relevant environmental and fisheries authorities to closely monitor the presence and spread of the sailfin catfish and take timely measures to control its population in order to protect indigenous aquatic life.
