Avaliação do comércio de peixes ornamentais de água doce em Aracaju, Sergipe

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of freshwater ornamental fish species sold in aquarium stores in Aracaju, Sergipe State, Brazil. Fishes sold in 15 establishments were identified and recorded monthly from May 2009 to April 2010. A total of 54,981 specimens of 143 species were registered, with a predominance of Neotropical fishes (n = 61). The most speciose families were Cichlidae (n = 48), Characidae (n = 18) and Cyprinidae (n = 18). Most of marketed species were: Xiphophorus maculatus, Poecilia latipinna and Carassius auratus. Fishes with the lowest trade prices represented those with greater commercialization. Five of the 15 stores visited amounted more than 60% of the individuals registered during the study, which was attributed mainly to the location in the central business area. Astyanax lacustris, Characidium fasciatum, Dormitator maculatus, Eigenmannia virescens, Geophagus brasiliensis, Hypostomus sp., Moekhausia costae and Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae were also presented distribution in rivers of Sergipe state. The risk of bioinvasion in watercourses near to Aracaju cannot be dismissed due to the number of non-native species available in the market. The monitoring of the aquarium trade is necessary to control activity, as well as to contribute with the international convention of endangered species of wild fauna and flora that are traded (CITES) and in national programs of continental endangered species.