The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has announced an official ban on the import, possession, and sale of four ornamental fish species deemed harmful to the country’s ecosystem.
The banned species are the Knifefish, Redline Snakehead, Alligator Gar, and Piranha.
Susantha Kahawatte, Director of the Department, said the decision was taken in light of the serious environmental threats these fish pose to Sri Lanka’s freshwater biodiversity. All four species are known to be highly invasive, with the ability to multiply rapidly if released into natural waterways.
Officials warned that these predatory and aggressive fish can outcompete native species, feeding on smaller fish, amphibians, and even birds. Their introduction could disrupt ecological balance and potentially drive some native species to extinction.
