Escaped Flowerhorn Fish Threaten Biodiversity, Pose Potential Public Health Risks in Laguna, Philippines

Escaped flowerhorn fish threaten biodiversity, pose potential public health risks in Laguna, Philippines

A hardy aquarium fish prized for its golden hue, the ornamental Flowerhorn cichlid (Amphilophus spp.) has become a problem for the residents of San Pablo City, Laguna: It is increasingly taking on an outsized role in both the natural ecosystem and local aquaculture operations in nearby Lake Sampaloc.

Escaped Flowerhorn Fish Threaten Laguna Biodiversity, Pose Potential Public Health Risks

A hardy aquarium fish prized for its golden hue, the ornamental Flowerhorn cichlid (Amphilophus spp.) has become a problem for the residents of San Pablo City, Laguna: it is increasingly taking on an outsized role in both the natural ecosystem and local aquaculture operations in nearby Lake Sampaloc. Researchers from the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Biology and the Ateneo Aquatic and Fisheries Resources Laboratory have documented th…