MA. RAYSOLYN E.

NATIVIDAD
ENS 203 – Advanced Aquatic Ecology

Invasive Alien Species – Philippines

JANITOR FISH

I. Introduction

Janitor Fish, or the Pterygoplichthys species is a genus of South American armored

catfishes, also called as sailfin armoured catfish or sailfin plecs. Of the 16 recognized
species of this genus, two (2) of them are found in the Philippines. These are
Pterydoplicthys disjunctivus or Vermiculated sailfin catfish (Weber, 1991) and
Pterydoplicthys pardalis or Amazon sailfin catfish (Castelnau, 1855).

The word Pterygoplichthys is derived from three Greek words: pterygion, a diminutive
of pteryx, which means "wing" or “fin”; hoplon which means “weapon”, and ichthys
which means "fish" (Weber 1991).

II. Scientific Classification

The janitor fish belonged to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class
Actinopterygii, order Siluriformes, family Loricariidae, sub-family Hypostominae, tribe
Pterygoplichthyini, and genus Pterygoplichthys (Fishbase website).

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus Pterygoplichthys pardalis

Picture by FishBase Picture by Ott, G.(Fishbase)

The janitor fish was first identified as Hypostomus plecostomus due to the absence of
taxonomic records and local materials availability (Chavez, et.al, 2006).

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III. Species Description

The janitor fish can reach up to 60 centimeters long and a weight of up to 3 kilograms
(Aranda, et.al, 2010). Its distinguishable dorsal sailfin has 9-14 rays with a ventral
mouth shaped into a sucking disk. Its protective body shield are covered in bony
plates.

The two species found in the Philippines have vermiculated patterns in their abdomen
(Chavez et al, 2006).

IV. Habitat

The janitor fish can flourish in a wide range of pH waters: from acidic to alkaline (pH
5.5.0 to 8.0). However, some species are limited only to a minimum temperature of
about 8.8-11°C (Gestring, 2006).

The janitor fish could also tolerate inferior water quality and lived in dirty and murky
waters (Chavez et al, 2006). It could also thrived in lowlands and up to 3,000 meters
elevation (Wakida-Kusunoki, 2007). Some of its species could also tolerate salty
environment (Mendoza et al, 2009) and was known to survive of up to 30 hours out of
water.

V. Reproduction

The species reproduce inside burrows on the slopes of the rivers (Milburn, 2020). The
females have high fecundity (Gibbs et al, 2008) and both male and female can spawn
at small body sizes.

In the Marikina River, the species has at least four months of reproductive period, and
could possibly extend with the onset of the rainy season (Jumawan et al, 2016).

VI. Food Pattern

The janitor fish feeds primarily on algae and consumed worms, insect larvae, and fish
eggs, but most of its food composed mainly of detritus, algae, and various plant
matters (Mendoza et al, 2009).

It is also a grazing animal or scavenger, and not a predator fish.

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VII. Uses

The janitor fish is a very popular aquarium fish that is being utilized as an algae-control
in tanks. It earned its moniker because of its algae-eating habits that keeps the
aquarium tank cleaned.

The species is also being used as a fishmeal in the Philippines, a project that is
implemented by the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) in collaboration with
a farmer’s cooperative in Laguna, which is funded by the World Bank (Joshi, 2006).

VIII. Distribution

Although the janitor fish originated from the Amazon River basin of Brazil and Peru
(Weber 2003) and Rio Madeira drainage of Brazil and Bolivia (Page and Robins, 2006)
in South America, this species has been introduced in many countries such as United
States (Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, and Texas), Mexico (Campete, Chiapas, Central and
Western Mexico, and Southeastern Mexico), North America, South Africa, Puerto
Rico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines (Chavez
et al, 2006; Wakida-Kusonoki et al. 2007; Gibbs et al, 2008; Page and Robins, 2006).

The janitor fish was first introduced into the Philippines through the ornamental trade
industry as an aquarium fish. However, some propagules may have unintentionally
gotten away from fish farms into the Laguna de Bay when super typhoon Rosing
inundated a lakeshore town in 1995 (Guerrero 2014).

Reports of the janitor fish establishments in Marikina River, Pasig River and Laguna
de Bay in Luzon surfaced in 2006, although an LLDA report in 2005 showed that as
early as 2002, janitor fish already comprised 10-38% of the fish catch in Siniloan,
Laguna (Guerrero, 2014).

The species was also found in Agusan Marsh in Mindanao. The janitor fish could
possibly have been released intentionally within the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
(AMWS), or probably escaped from fish farms upstream (near Davao) between 2002
and 2005 (Hubilla and Kis, 2006). It is also found in creeks, lakes, and rivers of eight
(8) municipalities (Talacogon, La Paz, Loreto, Bunawan, Rosario, San Francisco,
Veruela, and Sta. Josefa) in the province of Agusan del Sur (Hubilla et.al, 2007).

The janitor fish’s presence was also reported in Zamboanga City and Aparri, Cagayan
(Chavez et al, 2006), Lake Paitan of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija (Joshi, 2006), Candaba
Swamp in Pampanga (Garcia, 2010), Liguasan Marsh in North Cotabato (Hubilla, et
al, 2007) and Tabuating River in Nueva Ecija (Fishbase website).

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IX. Impacts

The janitor fish has biodiversity, ecological services, economic, and health impacts.

It is a threat to the biodiversity in the water bodies where they are currently living
because it reduces the fish corrals in the water bodies (Chavez, et al, 2006). It also
compete with other native species found in the water bodies for food, oxygen, and
other nutrients. Their widespread distribution in the rivers and lakes could also lead to
increases in population that may displaced the native species in their biological
communities (Hubilla, et al, 2007).

The janitor fish is a threat to the ecology of their habitat because of its burrowing habits
in riverbanks, which destroys the embankment of the rivers or lakes, resulting to water
turbidity and soil erosion (Hubilla, et.al, 2007). A high water turbidity slows down
photosynthesis as it reduces the amount of light that passes through the water that is
needed by the plants for photosynthesis to occur, subsequently affecting the energy
flow and food web in the ecosystem (Hubilla, et.al, 2007).

It also affects the economic activities of the local fishermen in localities where they
established themselves because of reduced fish catches and destroyed fishing gears
due to the removal of the species, consequently affecting the incomes and livelihoods
(Chavez, et. al 2006, and Hubilla et al, 2007) of these fishermen.

Lastly, it threatens the health of humans because a study conducted in 2009 revealed
that there were arsenic and mercury concentrations detected in janitor fish from the
Marikina River (Lam et al, 2009). Eating these fishes that have arsenic and mercury
content could lead to high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and other cardiovascular
diseases (Jennrich, 2013).

X. Management

Eradicating the janitor fish in rivers and lakes where they have already firmly
established may no longer be feasible. Hence, control measures should be
implemented in these areas.

The following are the recommended control measures to minimize the establishment
or re-establishment of the janitor fish in the country, to wit:

(1) Provide alternative livelihoods to local fishermen affected by the janitor fish through
the creation of a janitor fish industry that will promote and market all products made
from janitor fish. The products could include the manufacturing of fishballs (Joshi,
2006); animal feeds (Aranda et al, 2010); fertilizer, leather goods, and office/home
decor (Hubilla et all, 2007); and handicrafts and jewelries;

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(2) Buy the janitor fish catches of the fishermen through the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources in collaboration with the concerned Local Government Units
(LGUs). The catch could then be processed by companies and organizations
accredited by the LGUs into products mentioned above. To this end, a “bounty
system” has already been initiated by the government in some localities (Guerrero,
2014).

(3) Provide financial support to Filipino scientists whose work involved developing
alternative technologies using janitor fish. One of these scientists that deserved
the national government’s financial support is Mr. Raymond Joseph Amurao, who
received international recognition for his work on janitor fish oil as a bio-fuel
alternative, and who is also studying the potential of janitor fish’ bones as carbon
filters for water purifiers (Alquitran, 2006). Mr. Amurao had already received
financial assistance from the LLDA for his researches.

(4) Develop a Local Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (LISSAP) in areas
where the janitor fish are prolific to curb its growth and minimize the species’
damage to the ecosystem. This should be aligned with the National Invasive
Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP) 2016-2026 developed by the DENR-
Biodiversity Management Bureau as part of the United Nations Environment
Programme-Global Environment Facility (UNEP-GEF) Project. This is in order for
the LISSAP to have “more teeth and authority” in its enforcement.

(5) Conduct public awareness and information campaign on janitor fish’s impacts to
the environment and the livelihoods of the local communities, particularly the
fishermen. This will be an important strategic component in the early detection of
the janitor fish’s establishment in new areas in the country.

However, prevention is still the most cost-effective strategy in handling invasive

species because it will prevent all those long-term adverse impacts to the biodiversity,
environment, and economy of the country, and protect the health of the Filipino
people.

One way of preventing future outbreaks of janitor fish invasion is to monitor the
aquarium trade of the species all over the country. Where the janitor fish is bought
and brought next, whether in large or small quantities, will likely be the next possible
location of the next potential outbreak of the species.

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XI. References:

1) Alquitran, Non. July 16, 2006. LLDA to Support Janitor Fish Oil Inventor. Philippine
Star.
2) Aranda, Isabel D. Casas, Edgardo V. Peralta, Engelbert K. and Elauria, Jesse C.
2010. Drying Janitor Fish for Feeds in Laguna Lake to Mitigate Pollution Potentials.
Journal of Environmental Science and Management.
3) Chavez, Joel M. De La Paz, Reynaldo M. Manohar, Surya Krishna. Pagulayan,
Roberto C. and Carandang Jose VI R. 2006. New Philippine Record of South
American Sailfin Catfishes (Pisces: Loricariidae). Zootaxa. Magnolia Press.
4) Fishbase website. 2020. https://www.fishbase.se
5) Garcia L.M.B. 2010. Species composition and lengthweight relationship of fishes
in the Candaba wetland on Luzon Island, Philippines. Journal of Applied
Ichthyology.
6) Gestring, K.B., Shafland, P.L. & Stanford, M.S. 2006. The status of Loricariid
catfishes in Florida with emphasis on Orinoco Sailfin (Pterygoplichthys
multiradiatus). Abstracts for the 26th Annual Meeting of the Florida Chapter
American Fisheries Society.
7) Gibbs MA, Shields JH, Lock DW, Talmadge KM, Farrell TM. 2008. Reproduction
in an invasive exotic catfish Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus in Volusia Blue Spring,
Florida, USA. J Fish Biol 73(7):1562-1572.
8) Guerrero, Rafael III D.June 2014. Impacts of Introduced Freshwater Fishes in the
Philippines (1905-2013): A Review and Recommendations. Philippine Journal of
Science.
9) Hubilla, Marianne F. Kis, Ferenc. and Primavera, Jurgenne. June 2007. Janitor
Fish Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus in the Agusan Marsh: A Threat to Freshwater
Biodiversity. Journal of Environmental Science and Management.
10) Hubilla, M. and F. Kis. 2006. Janitor Fish in the Agusan Marsh: a Threat to
Freshwater Biodiversity. The Mouseion, Bi-annual newsletter of the UPV Museum
of Natural Sciences v. 1, no. 4.
11) Jennrich, Peter. 2013. "The Influence of Arsenic, Lead, and Mercury on the
Development of Cardiovascular Diseases", International Scholarly Research
Notices, Vol. 2013. Hindawi Publishing Corporation.
12) Joshi, Ravindra C. 2006. Invasive alien species (IAS): Concerns and status in the
Philippines. Philippine Rice Research Institute. Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
13) Jumawan, Joycelyn C. Herrera, Annabelle Aliga. Jumawan, Jess H. and Vallejo,
Benjamin Jr. January 2016. Size Structure and Reproductive Phenology of the
Suckermouth Sailfin Catfish Pterygoplichthys Disjunctivus (Weber 1991) from
Marikina River, Philippines. ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science.
Vol. 11, No. 1. Asian Research Publishing Network.
14) Lam, Jacquiline C., and Sia Su, Glenn L. July 2009. Arsenic and Mercury
concentrations of the waters and janitor fishes (Pterygoplichthys spp.) in the
Marikina River, Philippines. Transactions of the National Academy of Science and
Technology.
15) Maranao.com Facebook page. December 26, 2018.

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16) Mendoza, R.E.; Cudmore, B.; Orr, R.; Balderas, S.C.; Courtenay, W.R.; Osorio,
P.K.; Mandrak, N.; Torres, P.A.; Damian, M.A.; Gallardo, C.E.; Sanguines, A.G.;
Greene, G.; Lee, D.; Orbe-Mendoza, A.; Martinez, C.R.; and Arana, O.S. 2009.
Trinational Risk Assessment Guidelines for Aquatic Alien Invasive Species.
Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
17) Millburn, Naomi. 2020. Characteristics of janitor fish. Wild Sky Media.
18) Page LM, Robins RH. 2006. Identification of sailfin catfishes (Teleostei:
Loricariidae) in Southeastern Asia. Raff Bull Zool.
19) Wakida-Kusunoki, Armando T.; Ramon Ruiz-Carus; Enrique Amador-del-Angel,
2007. Amazon sailfin catfish, Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1855)
(Loricariidae), another exotic species established in Southeastern Mexico.
Southwestern Naturalist. 52(1). Mar 2007.
20) Weber C. 1991. Noveaux taxa dans Pterygoplichthys sensu lato (Pisces,
Siluriformes,Loricariidae). Rev Suisse Zool.
21) Weber C . 2003. Loricariidae - Hypostominae (Armored catfishes). In: Reis RE,
Kullander SO, Ferraris CJ Jr, eds. Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and
Central America.Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil,