Shrimp farmer in Samut Prakan finds potential hybrid fish

A shrimp farm owner in Samut Prakan has discovered a fish believed to be a hybrid between a blackchin tilapia and a blackchin gourami and has called for further investigation into its potential impact on local agriculture.

Adisorn Chansuksawasdi, the owner of the shrimp farm located in Moo 6, Khlong Dan subdistrict, Bang Bo district, invited journalists to inspect his pond. Using fishing nets, he caught several fish to determine if they exhibited characteristics of both blackchin tilapia and blackchin gourami, potentially resulting in a new hybrid species.

After two netting attempts, the catch included various species such as seabass, tilapia, blackchin gourami, and the suspect hybrid fish. The suspect fish resembled a tilapia but had a distinctive black chin.

Adisorn laid out three fish for comparison: a large tilapia on top, followed by a smaller tilapia, and the suspect hybrid at the bottom. All three fish shared similar body shapes, but the bottom fish had a black chin.

Adisorn explained that tilapia generally have round, plump bodies without a black chin and a more protruding, pointed mouth compared to the thinner, longer-bodied blackchin gourami with a larger head. The suspect hybrid, however, had a round, plump body like the tilapia but a black chin similar to the blackchin gourami. This unique characteristic was recently observed in the pond, raising questions about its origin and potential effects.

“If this is indeed a hybrid fish, it is essential to understand its impact on farmers. We must have relevant authorities investigate and take samples for research to determine any negative consequences. This way, we can develop preventive measures to avoid further complications.”

The presence of this potential hybrid fish has prompted Adisorn to seek assistance from relevant agencies to research its impact on the ecosystem and agriculture. The aim is to identify any adverse effects and take timely action to prevent further problems, reported KhaoSod.