Shocking footage captured by field cameras on July 26 (local time) along the Marikina River in the Philippines.
The footage shows large, dead glass catfish washed up in a black line along the banks of the Marikina River. Locals discovered them after the floodwaters receded, a result of Typhoon Gaemi.
This invasive species, originally from the Amazon, is believed to have been introduced to local rivers by irresponsible pet owners who released them once these fish grew larger, evident by their vibrant fins.
“I’ll show you how many dead glass catfish there are here. Their heads are very large,” said Kuya Lev, a local resident, in the video.
Thousands of fish were washed ashore.
Experts believe that the mass death of the glass catfish was caused by the storm, which triggered sudden changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen levels in the water, making it difficult for them to adapt. Additionally, the fact that glass catfish are an invasive species makes them more vulnerable to environmental changes.
Glass catfish were introduced to the Philippines by pet owners. As these fish grew and lost their bright colors, many irresponsibly released them into rivers and lakes. This practice has serious consequences for the local ecosystem, as glass catfish compete for food and reproduce rapidly, threatening the survival of native fish species.
This incident once again raises alarms about the negative impacts of releasing invasive species into natural environments. The management of breeding and releasing exotic animal species needs to be strictly regulated to prevent unforeseen consequences.
