Risks associated with the global demand for novel exotic pets: A new and emerging trade in snakehead fish (Channa spp.) from India

Harrington, Lauren A.; Mookerjee, Aniruddha; Kalita, Minakshi; Saikia, Anu; Macdonald, David W.; D’Cruze, Neil

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109377

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Recent studies suggests that with increased trade in the aquarium industry (Raghavan et al, 2013;Harrington et al, 2022) coupled with habitat degradation, the population of C. stewartii is declining in an alarming rate in their natural habitats. Keeping this in view, the present investigation aimed to develop captive breeding techniques for C. stewartii through habitat manipulation which in turn surely supplement to meet the ever-growing market demand.…”

Section: Habitat Manipulation;mentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on the captive propagation of the endemic murrel Channa stewartii (Playfair, 1867)

al.¹

2023

Egypt. J. of Aquatic Biolo. and Fish.

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Channa stewartii (Playfair, 1867), commonly known as "Chenga" in Assamese is an endemic murrel of the Brahmaputra basin of India and Bangladesh and reported from the swamps and lakes of Assam as well as from altitudes above 1,500 m from Meghalaya and Nepal (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991; Kalita et al., 2018). The fish is often consumed locally as a cheap source of animal protein and commands good demand in the

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Section: Habitat Manipulation;mentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on the captive propagation of the endemic murrel Channa stewartii (Playfair, 1867)

al.¹

2023

Egypt. J. of Aquatic Biolo. and Fish.

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“…Although it is financially lucrative, the global exotic pet trade has resulted in the overexploitation of species, the introduction and spread of invasive species and pathogens, risks to public health and safety, and animal welfare concerns (Bush et al 2014;Warwick et al 2018;Gippet and Bertelsmeier 2021;Harrington et al 2022;Toomes et al 2022). Exotic pets are animals that are non-native and/or do not have a history of domestication, and which people purchase for companionship, ornament, or entertainment (Warwick et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Responding to the various risks posed by the exotic pet trade is challenging because we have incomplete knowledge of the demand for exotic pets, largely derived from trade data (Lockwood et al 2019;Sinclair et al 2021). Better understanding of pet owners' preferences for different species and exotic pet traits (e.g., life history, aesthetic appeal, captive care requirements, monetary costs) is necessary to design interventions that appropriately target pet owners' choice of pets (Burivalova et al 2017;Sung and Fong 2018;Lockwood et al 2019;Hausmann et al 2023;Street et al 2023), in order to prevent potential risks associated with owners acquiring and subsequently releasing undesirable pets (Harrington et al 2022;Toomes et al 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on existing studies of species in the exotic pet trade, we hypothesized that pet owners would prefer species that are colorful or patterned (van Wilgen et al 2010;Vall-llosera and Cassey 2017), and animals with distinctive or rare aesthetic or morphological features (Burghardt 2017;Sung and Fong 2018;Harrington et al 2022;Hausmann et al 2023). We further hypothesized that pet owners would have heterogeneous preferences with respect to the adult size and lifespan of exotic pets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exotic pet owners’ preferences for different ectothermic taxa are based on species traits and purchase prices in the United States

Pienaar,

Sturgeon

2024

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The exotic pet trade has resulted in substantial invasion and disease risks, owing to the release of pets into new environments. Scientists have conjectured that pet owners acquire and release species with undesirable traits because they are imperfectly informed about the traits of these animals. However, few studies have used social science methods to elicit pet owners’ preferences for exotic pets. In 2019 we administered a best-worst choice survey to 1,055 exotic pet owners in the United States (who own pet reptiles, amphibians, fish, or invertebrates) to examine how human preferences and incomplete information may contribute to the risks of the exotic pet trade. Respondents preferred colorful and patterned species. On average, respondents preferred medium-sized amphibians and reptiles, small fish, and large invertebrates, although they demonstrated heterogeneity in preferences with respect to the adult size of pets. Respondents also preferred amphibians and reptiles with medium life expectancies and fish and invertebrates with long life expectancies, although they again demonstrated heterogeneity in preferences with respect to pets’ life span. Respondents preferred docile animals, and were more likely to purchase lower-cost pets. We found some evidence that respondents’ decision to purchase exotic pets depended on whether these animals were native, rare, had unusual morphological features, and breed easily. Respondents’ decision to purchase specific taxa as exotic pets also depended on their age, education, and housing. Most respondents stated that they searched for information on pets’ diet, behavior, adult size, life span, costs of care such as equipment or veterinary costs, and whether the animal was captive bred before purchasing these animals. Excepting pets’ diets, fewer than half of respondents had been offered information on pets’ traits by sellers. On average, respondents rated the information they had been offered as average. Respondents typically obtained additional information about pets from online searches. Our results suggest that certification systems that provide critical information on exotic pets’ behaviors, adult size, longevity, fecundity, and husbandry needs should be implemented to prevent pet owners acquiring animals that they may subsequently abandon.

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“…In addition to the surgical implantation technique, the predatory (Channa lucius) and benthopelagic (Neolissochilus soroides) species of fish were selected to study migration behaviour and habitat preferences, respectively (Harrington et al, 2022;Ullah et al, 2022). The Channa species have been reported to contain essential amino acids such as glycine, arachidonic acids, and polyunsaturated fats, which help promote wound healing (Kwan & Ismail, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2022

JTAS

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Telemetry is an emerging method to study fish ecology and a reliable tool that provides useful information for managing and conserving aquatic fauna and river habitats. However, the reliability of telemetry depends on several technical factors. Implantation of the acoustic transmitter is one of the major aspects that ensure the survivability of the animal subject when released into the wild. Studies on the technicalities involving telemetry methods are limited; therefore, this study investigated the surgical insertion of an acoustic transmitter into the peritoneal cavity of Channa lucius and Neolissochilus soroides or locally known as Bujuk and Tengas. A severity index was used to rate the appearance of surgical wounds observed on the day of release into the river. Fish mortality and complications such as bleeding were not observed in both species post-surgery. The progress and prognosis of wound healing of C. lucius were better compared to N. soroides, with generally lesser inflammation and more sutures shed.Despite visually severe inflammation on N. soroides on day-12 and day-19 postsurgery, there was a good indication that

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Risks associated with the global demand for novel exotic pets: A new and emerging trade in snakehead fish (Channa spp.) from India

Cited by 10 publications

References 52 publications

Investigation on the captive propagation of the endemic murrel Channa stewartii (Playfair, 1867)

Investigation on the captive propagation of the endemic murrel Channa stewartii (Playfair, 1867)

Exotic pet owners’ preferences for different ectothermic taxa are based on species traits and purchase prices in the United States

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