Aquatic pests of concern to SA

Alligator Gar is a large freshwater species that can grow to more than 1.5 m long. It has the potential to prey on most native fish species.

The Asian black-spined toad is not known to be established in Australia but is frequently intercepted at the border. It has greater tolerance to cold than cane toads.

The Asian Green Mussel is a marine mollusc that forms dense colonies, competes for food and habitat with native species and clogs seawater intake pipes.

The Asian Paddle Crab competes for food and shelter with native crustacean species, can carry disease which can impact native species such as lobster, prawn and crabs, spread via biofouling on shipping, not currently found in SA

Black striped false mussel grows quickly and competes with native species for food and space. It can affect the productivity of commercial fisheries and aquaculture.

Brown mussel is a fast growing pest that competes with native species. It fouls navigation buoys, petroleum platforms, wrecks, jetties and other hard surfaces.

The cane toad predates on native species and competes for food and habitat. Poison glands on either side of the head can harm native predators.

Carpet sea squirt is a highly invasive marine animal that can overgrow rocks, shellfish, sea sponges and algae. It can also overgrow man-made structures such as wharves, jetty pylons, pontoons, buoys and vessels.

Caulerpa cylindracea is a marine alga that can overgrow and outcompete native species. It has been detected in a number of areas within South Australia

Caulerpa taxifolia is a marine alga that: outcompetes native seaweeds and seagrasses by forming dense mats and spreads from fragments that are often detached by boating equipment.

The Chinese Mitten Crab poses risks to human health as a carrier of lung fluke and competes with native crustaceans.

There are a number of highly aggressive cichlid species including Tilapia species and Pearl Cichlids. During breeding season these species become highly aggressive in competing for food and habitat with native species.

European Carp is an extremely common and invasive species which degrades waterways and competes with native species for food.

The European Fan Worm competes for food and habitat with other marine species colonises infrastructure and reefs spreads by attaching to boats and equipment.

The European Green Shore Crab competes for food and shelter with native crustacean species, can carry parasites which can impact bird species and spreads naturally and via shipping.

Goldfish is a common aquarium species that competes with native fish. It must not to be returned to the water when caught.

Harris mud crab competes with native species and can spread crustacean diseases. It can damage the catch in fishing nets and clog water intake pipes.

Marron is a crustacean native to Western Australia which competes with native species for food and shelter. It must not to be returned to the water when caught.

Mosquito fish are small bodied fish. Usually found in large numbers, they compete with native fish and attack the fins of native species.

New Zealand green-lipped mussel could outcompete Australian blue mussels and is thought to have similar invasive potential to other Perna mussel species. It could seriously affect mussel industries in Victoria and Tasmania.

The New Zealand Screwshell is a marine mollusc which competes for food and habitat with native species.

The Northern Pacific Seastar is widely established in Tasmania and also Port Phillip Bay (Melbourne) in Victoria. Population densities can reach tens of millions. The Northern Pacific Seastar predates on native species, particularly shellfish.

The Oriental Weatherloach is a medium sized fish that competes with native fish for food and tolerates a wide range of conditions.

The Pearl Oyster is a tropical Australian native oyster.

Red Claw Crayfish is a native to Queensland that can compete with native species for food and habitat.

The red-eared slider turtle is a very aggressive hunter that competes with native turtles for food and habitat and preys on native species of fish.

Redfin Perch is an aggressive species of perch that preys on native, small bodied fish and invertebrates. It must not be returned to the water when caught.

Roach is a medium sized species that competes with native species for food.

The smooth newt competes for food and habitat with native species.

Some species of snakeheads grow very large. They have the potential to become top tier predators of native species.

Speckled Livebearer is a small exotic aquarium fish that can degrade water quality and displace native species.

Tench is a medium sized species that competes with native species for food. It must not to be returned to the water when caught.

Vase Tunicate is an ascidian (sea squirt) that colonises infrastructure, fouls aquaculture equipment and increases equipment maintenance and cleaning requirements.

Wakame forms dense forests that exclude and shade out other native species.

Wild Pacific Oysters establish on intertidal rocky reefs, compete for food with farmed oysters and native molluscs and can cause injuries due to their sharp shells. Wild Pacific Oysters pose a risk to the oyster aquaculture industry through competition and their potential for hosting disease.