An exotic fish species commonly kept as a tropical aquarium fish has been discovered in the wild for the first time in NSW near Newcastle, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said today.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fisheries ecosystem research technicians discovered six live Platys at Medowie, when undertaking survey work in a drainage channel at Ferodale Park.

“The Platy is native to northern and central America and is known to have been introduced to 18 other countries,” Minister Macdonald said.

“It has also been found in creeks around Brisbane and far North Queensland.

“While these fish may look cute, this discovery is concerning as it is a new alien species which has been either purposely or accidentally released into the waterway.

“Platys have a high reproductive rate and if they breed and spread they have the potential to impact native fish species by competing for food and space. They may also spread disease and parasites.”

Minister Macdonald said the Campvale drain, the artificial channel where the fish was found, leads into Grahamstown Dam - Newcastle’s main water supply.

“DPI is investigating just how the Platys got there by conducting surveys within the Campvale drain and Grahamstown Dam,” he said.

“Waterways in the area are also affected by the invasive noxious weed, Alligator weed, another exotic pest.

“The keeping of aquatic plants and ornamental fish in aquaria or ponds is popular, but it is vitally important these organisms are never released into any waterways.

“Exotic fish and plant species have the potential to devastate the environment and native species, and cost millions of dollars to control.

“Heavy penalties apply in NSW for illegally releasing live fish and aquatic plant species into waterways.”

How you can help:

* Don’t dump unwanted fish or plants into waterways. Give unwanted aquatic plants or fish to friends or an aquarium shop;
* Take care when cleaning aquaria to prevent water, weed or other waste materials ending up in any waterways, including drains;
* Prevent accidental escapes by screening outdoor ponds to prevent overflow during heavy rains;
* Keep a lookout for suspected new pest fish and plant species in local waterways;
* Report suspected aquatic pests to NSW DPI’s Aquatic Biosecurity Unit on the 24 hour recorded hotline (02) 4916 3877 or email aquatic.pests@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Media contact: Lyndall Derrig 0400 462 447