Inventory of Freshwater Fauna in the

Agusan Marsh, Philippines with Notes

on Introduced Species and their
Impacts on Biodiversity

MARIANNE HUBILLA-TRAVIS1*, FERENC KIS2,

JURGENNE PRIMAVERA3
1Institute
of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean
Sciences, University of the Philippines in the Visayas, 5023 Miag-ao, Iloilo

2Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Government Center,

8500 Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur

3Southeast Asian Fisheries and Development Center – Aquaculture

Department, 5021 Tigbauan, Iloilo
INTRODUCTION

Agusan Marsh – a protected marshland located in Agusan del

Sur, northeastern Mindanao, in the southern Philippines.
 WETLAND ROLES
1. serve as sponge that
reduce flood flows
2. help retain and absorb
sediments and
nutrients
3. maintain the continued
existence of various
floral and faunal
species

1. protected area under the National Integrated Protected

Areas System (NIPAS) in 1994

2. Wildlife Sanctuary by Presidential Proclamation 913 in

1996

3. Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar

Convention in 1999
Earlier studies that documented the
fish species of the Agusan Marsh

Herre, 1953

Davies, 1991

Oloroso, 2000

Talde et al., 2004

 Table 1 List of fish species cited by Herre, 1953.
Family Species English name Local name
Carcharhinidae Glyphis gangeticus Ganges shark Pating
Pristidae Pristis microdon Large-tooth sawfish Tagan
Lutjanidae Lutjanus fuscescens Freshwater snapper Gingaw
Clupeidae Anodontostoma chacunda Chacunda gizzard shad Kabasi
Cyprinidae Puntius montanoi Simulao carp Habong,
lidong
Cyprinidae Puntius binotatus Spotted barb Gabot, paitan
Gobiidae Stenogobius ophthalmoporus Goby Oku
Ephippidae Platax orbicularis Orbicular batfish Dahon gabi
Mugilidae Valamugil cunnesius Long-arm mullet Banak
Muraenidae Strophidon sathete Slender giant moray Kasili nga
ubod
Eleotridae Butis amboinensis Olive flathead gudgeon Pidjanga
Chandidae Ambassis buruensis Buru glass perchlet Ibis
Chandidae A. gymnocephalus Bald glass perchlet Ibis
Chandidae A. interrupta Long-spine glass perchlet Ibis
Chandidae A. urotaenia Banded-tail glass perchlet Ibis
 Glyphis gangeticus

Pristis microdon

Platax orbicularis

Anodontostoma chacunda
 Table 2 List of fish species cited by Davies, 1991.
Family Species English name Local name
Anabantidae Anabas testudineus Climbing perch Puyo
Channidae Channa striata Snakehead murrel, mudfish Halu-an
Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus Nile tilapia Tilapia
Clariidae Clarias batrachus Walking catfish Agok-ok
Clariidae Clarias gariepinus North African hito Taiwan
Clariidae Clarias macrocephalus Broad-head catfish Hito, pantat
Clariidae Clarias gilli (C. nieuhofi) Peat forest catfish Balik
Cyprinidae Puntius montanoi/binotatus Simulao carp/spotted barb Lidong/paitan
Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio Common carp Karpa
Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris Tank goby Pidjanga
Megalopidae Megalops cyprinoides Indo-Pacific tarpon Sibad
Mugilidae Mugil sp. Mullet Banak
Osphronemidae Osphronemus gouramy Giant gourami Gurami
Osphronemidae Trichogaster pectoralis Snake-skin gourami Gurami
Osphronemidae T. trichopterus Three-spot gourami Gurami
Poeciliidae Poecilia reticulata Guppy Impis
 Osphronemus gouramy

Oreochromis niloticus

Glossogobius giuris

Clarias garipienus

Cyprinus carpio

Poecilia reticulata
Table 3 List of fish species cited by Oloroso, 2000.
Family Species English name Local name
Anabantidae Anabas testudineus Climbing perch Puyo
Channidae Channa striata Snakehead murrel, mudfish Halu-an
Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus Nile tilapia Tilapia
Clariidae Clarias batrachus Walking catfish Agok-ok
Clariidae C. gariepinus North African hito Taiwan
Clariidae C. macrocephalus Broad-head catfish Hito, pantat
Clariidae C. gilli (C. nieuhofi) Peat forest catfish Balik
Cyprinidae Puntius sp. Simulao carp, spotted barb Lidong/paitan
Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio Common carp Karpa
Megalopidae Megalops cyprinoides Indo-Pacific tarpon Sibad
Mugilidae Mugil sp. Mullet Banak
Osphronemidae Osphronemus gouramy Giant gourami Gurami
Osphronemidae Trichogaster pectoralis Snake-skin gourami Gurami
 Table 4 List of fish species cited by Talde et al., 2004.
Family Species English name Local name
Anabantidae Anabas testudineus Climbing perch Puyo
Channidae Channa striata Snakehead murrel, Halu-an
mudfish
Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus Nile tilapia Tilapia
Clariidae Clarias batrachus Walking catfish Agok-ok
Clariidae C. gariepinus North African hito Taiwan
Clariidae C. macrocephalus Broad-head catfish Hito, pantat
Cyprinidae Puntius binotatus Spotted barb Paitan
Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio Common carp Karpa
Eleotridae Ophiocara porocephala Sprangled sleeper Ilabo
Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris Tank goby Pidjanga
Osphronemidae Osphronemus gouramy Giant gourami Gurami
Osphronemidae Trichogaster pectoralis Snake-skin gourami Gurami
Osphronemidae T. trichopterus Three-spot gourami Gurami
Poeciliidae Poecilia reticulata Guppy Impis
 What is biological
invasion?

Biological invasion is the spread of a non-

native species from its native place to other parts of
the world that is usually caused by human vectors.
EFFECTS OF INVASIVE SPECIES

* Displace native species

* Diminish diversity
* Disrupt ecosystems
* Cause significant economic
impacts
 OBJECTIVES
1. Conduct an inventory of the aquatic fauna
of the Agusan Marsh;
2. Determine the habitat & distribution of
aquatic fauna in the Marsh;
3. Identify the ecological status of species
and environmental threats; and
4. Discuss the impacts of introduced
species on biodiversity, and the possible
management schemes that could be
applied for them.
.
FRESHWATER FAUNAL GROUPS

1. Fishes
2. Molluscs (bivalves, gastropods)
3. Crustaceans (Crabs, shrimps)
4. Aquatic reptiles (Aquatic lizards,
crocodiles, turtles)
METHODOLOGY
Study sites
1. Peat forest
(New Visayas, San Francisco)
2. Herbaceous swamp
(Lake Talacogon, Talacogon)
3. Floodplain lake
(Lake Mihaba, Bunawan)
4. Oxbow/floodplain lake
(Lake Dinagat, Loreto)
5. Upstream
(Agusan River, Sta. Josefa)
6. Midstream
(Agusan River, La Paz)
7. Downstream
(Agusan River, San Luis)
Collection of samples
 Collection of samples – based on the
standard collecting method of von Brandt
(1979) and Villoso (2000)
Fish
1. Floodplain & oxbow lake – multiple hook & line,
traps, gill net, skimming net, cast net;
2. Herbaceous swamp – multiple hook & line, traps
3. Peat forest & forest swamp – pole & line
4. Upstream, midstream, downstream – gill net, cast
net, electrical gadgets
Molluscs – collected by hands and by diving
underwater
Crustaceans – electrofishing
Aquatic reptiles – collected by hands and hunting
Identification & preservation of samples
 Preservation of samples – based on the standard
preservation techniques of Villoso (2000)

Identification of samples
• Fish – Herre (1953); Davies (1991); Rainboth (1996); Villoso
(1997); Olorosso (2000); Talde et al. (2004);
www.fishbase.org
• Molluscs
1. Gastropods – www.applesnail.net
2. Bivalves – www.inhs.uiuc.edu; www.fcsc.usgs.gov
• Crustaceans
1. Shrimps – www.was.org
2. Crabs – www.nmu.edu
• Aquatic reptiles
1. Aquatic lizards – www.species.net; www.curator.org
2. Crocodiles – www.whozoo.org; www.solaster-mb.org
3. Turtles – www.cas.psu.edu; http://nlbif.eti.uva.nl
Flow chart of activities
Inventory of aquatic
fauna
- Field sampling, review Habitat and distribution
of literature, book & - Habitat and distribution
online review, IKS were determined
(Indigenous Knowledge
System) by verbal and
questionnaire survey

Introduced species and

their impacts on
Ecological status and
biodiversity
threats
- Impacts of introduced
- Ecological status of
species and possible
species and threats were
management schemes for
identified
them were discussed
 RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Inventory of aquatic fauna

Number of species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and

aquatic reptiles found in the study.
29 Families
Crustaceans
Aquatic reptiles
34 Genera
5%
15% 41 Species

Molluscs Fish
17% 63%
 Number of family, genera and species of aquatic
fauna found in the study.
1 - Fish
2 - Bivalves
30
3 - Gastropods
25 4 - Shrimps
Fre que nc y

20 5 - Crabs
6 - Aquatic lizards
15
7 - Crocodiles
10 8 - Turtles
5
0
Species
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Genera
Aquatic faunal group
Family
 Num ber of fish fam ily, genera and
species docum ented by different
studies.
Family
30
Genera
25

20
Species
15 1 - Herre, 1953
2 - Davies, 1991
10
3 - Oloroso, 2000
5 4 - Talde et al. 2004
5 - This study
0
1 2 3 4 5
St ud y
Table 5 List of fish species found in the study.
Family Species English name Local name
Anabantidae Anabas testudineus Climbing perch Puyo
Anguillidae Anguilla marmorata Giant mottled eel Kasili
Chandidae Ambassis interrupta* Long-spine glass perchlet Ibis
Channidae Channa striata Snakehead murrel, mudfish Halu-an
Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus Nile tilapia Tilapia
Clariidae Clarias batrachus Walking catfish Agok-ok
Clariidae C. gariepinus North African hito Taiwan
Clariidae C. macrocephalus* Broad-head catfish Hito, pantat
Clariidae C. nieuhofi (C. gilli) Peat forest catfish Balik
Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio Common carp Karpa
Cyprinidae Puntius binotatus Spotted barb Gabot, paitan
Eleotridae Ophiocara porocephala Sprangled sleeper Ilabo
Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris Tank goby, white goby Pidjanga
Gobiidae Stenogobius ophthalmoporus* Goby Oku
Hemiramphidae Dermogenys pusilla* Wrestling halfbeak Tambugasan
Hemiramphidae Zenarchopterus buffonis* Buffon’s river garfish Pinganan
Loricariidae Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus Vermiculated sailfin catfish Janitor fish
Megalopidae Megalops cyprinoides Indo-Pacific tarpon Sibad
Mugilidae Valamugil cunnesius* Long-arm mullet Banak
Osphronemidae Osphronemus gouramy Giant gourami Gurami
Osphronemidae Trichogaster pectoralis Snake-skin gourami Gurami
Osphronemidae T. trichopterus Three-spot gourami Gurami
Poeciliidae Poecilia reticulata Guppy Impis
Scatophagidae Scatophagus argus Spotted scat Kikilo
Synbranchidae Monopterus albus Swamp eel Dungkang
Sygnathidae Doryichthys boaja Long-snout pipefish Kulikag
 Anabas testudineus

Channa striata

Ambassis
interrupta

Clarias batrachus

Oreochromis niloticus
Anguilla marmorata
Ophiocara porocephala
Puntius binotatus
Glossogobius giuris

Clarias gariepinus

Clarias nieuhofi Cyprinus carpio

 Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus

Osphronemus gouramy

Megalops cyprinoides
Dermogenys pusilla

Zenarchopterus buffonis
Valamugil cunnesius/Mugil longimanus
 Scatophagus argus

Trichogaster pectoralis

Doryichthys boaja

Monopterus albus

Poecilia reticulata

Trichogaster trichopterus
Table 6 List of fish species found in the study but
not mentioned in earlier literature.
Family Species English name Local name
Anguillidae Anguilla marmorata Giant mottled eel Kasili
Hemiramphidae Dermogenys pusilla Wrestling halfbeak Tambugasan
Hemiramphidae Zenarchopterus buffonis Buffon’s river garfish Pinganan
Loricariidae Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus Vermiculated sailfin Janitor fish
catfish
Scatophagidae Scatophagus argus Spotted scat Kikilo
Synbranchidae Monopterus albus Swamp eel Dungkang
Sygnathidae Doryichthys boaja Long-snout pipefish Kulikag
 Table 7 List of invertebrate species and aquatic reptiles
found in the Agusan Marsh.
Family Species English name Local name
Corbiculidae Corbicula fluminea Asiatic freshwater clam Kay-kay
Unionidae Cristaria plicata Cockscomb pearl mussel Tambilaka
Ampullariidae Pila ampullacea Large Asiatic apple snail Kambu-ay
Ampullariidae Pila conica Native apple snail Sihi
Ampullariidae Pomacea canaliculata Golden apple snail Kuhol
Thiaridae Melanoides sp. Freshwater screw snail Suso, banisil
Viviparidae Belamaya angularis Mystery snail Punggok
Atyidae Caridina sp. Freshwater tiny green Uyap
shrimp
Palaemonidae Macrobrachium rosenbergii Freshwater giant prawn Lambu-o
Palaemonidae Macrobrachium sp. Freshwater white prawn Putian,
pasayan
Palaemonidae Macrobrachium sp. Freshwater red-spotted Hipon,
prawn pasayan
Potamidae Unidentified species Purple rock crab Kuga
Sinopotamidae Unidentified species Orange moon crab Kagang
Agamidae Hydrosaurus pustulatus Sailfin lizard Ibid
Varanidae Varanus salvator Common water monitor Halo
 Cristaria plicata

Pila ampullacea

Pila conica

Corbicula fluminea

Belamaya angularis Melanoides sp

Pomacea canaliculata
Caridina sp.
“Kagang” – orange moon crab

Macrobrachium sp.

Macrobrachium sp.

Macrobrachium rosenbergii

“Kuga” – purple rock crab

Varanus salvator

Hydrosaurus pustulatus
Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS)

1. Pigok – closer to the appearance of

Lutjanus argentimaculatus (snapper)
2. Gingaw – similar to the appearance of
Lutjanus fuscescens (freshwater
snapper), a species also mentioned by
Herre (1953)
3. Two species of freshwater turtles –
“Bao” (smaller) and “Danata” (bigger)
4. Two species of crocodiles – “Buaya”,
one is big (Crocodylus porosus) and the
other one is smaller (Crocodylus
mindorensis)
Habitat and distribution

Number of vertebrate and invertebrate species

thriving in the 12 identified habitats in the Agusan
Marsh.
Vertebrates
30 Invertebrates
25
Frequency

20
15
10
5
0 Peat f orest Forest swamp Herbaceous Rice f ield St agnant Canal (CN) Upper st ream River ( R ) Creek ( C ) Lake ( L ) Est uary (E) Sea (S)
(PF) (FS) swamp (HS) (RF) wat er (SW) (US)

Habitat
 Table 8 Habitat and distribution of aquatic fauna in the Agusan Marsh.
Species PF FS HS RF SW CN US R C L E S ∑
Anabas testudineus - - + +* + + + + + + - - 8
Anguilla marmorata - - - - - - + + +* +* + + 6
Ambassis interrupta - - - - - - +* + + + + + 6
Channa striata +* + + + + +* +* + + + - - 10
Oreochromis niloticus - - + - + +* + + + + - - 7
Clarias batrachus +* + + +* + - - +* +* +* - - 8
C. gariepinus +* + + +* + - - +* +* +* - - 8
C. macrocephalus +* + + +* + - - +* +* +* - - 8
C. nieuhofii + + +* - - - - - - - - - 3
Cyprinus carpio - - +* - - - + + + + - - 5
Puntius binotatus - - +* - - - + +* + + - - 5
Ophiocara porocephala - - - - - - + + +* + + - 5
Glossogobius giuris - - - - - - + + + + + + 6
Stenogobius ophthalmoporus - - - - - - + + +* +* + - 5
Dermogenys pusilla - - - - - - + + +* +* + - 5
Zenarchopterus buffonis - - - - - - + + +* +* + + 6
Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus - - - - - - + + + + - - 4
Megalops cyprinoides - - - - - - + + +* +* + + 6
Valamugil cunnesius - - - - - - + + +* + + + 6
Osphronemus gouramy - - +* - +* +* + + + + - - 7
Trichogaster pectoralis - - + +* + +* + + + + - - 8
Table 8 continue…
Species PF FS HS RF SW CN US R C L E S ∑
T. Trichopterus - - + +* + +* + + + + - - 8
Poecilia reticulata - - +* +* - + + - +* - - - 5
Scatophagus argus - - - - - - + + + + + + 6
Monopterus albus +* + + + +* - - +* +* +* + - 9
Doryichthys boaja - - - - - - - + +* +* - - 3
Caridina sp. - - - - - - +* + + +* - - 4
Macrobrachium rosenbergii - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4
Macrobrachium sp. - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4
Macrobrachium sp. - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4
Unidentified crab (Kuga) - - - - - + + - + - - - 3
Unidentified crab (Kagang) +^ + + + + +^ - +^ +^ +^ - - 9
Corbicula fluminea - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4
Cristaria plicata - - - - - - +* + +* +* - - 4
Pila ampullacea +* +* + + + +* +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 10
Pila conica +* +* + + + + +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 10
Pomacea canaliculata +* +* + + + + +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 10
Melanoides sp. - - - - - - + + + +* - - 4
Beyamaya angularis +* +* + + + +* +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 10
Hydrosaurus pustulatus - - +^ - - - +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 5
Varanus salvator - - +^ - - - +^ +^ +^ +^ - - 5
Ecological status of species

Number of native and introduced fish species in the

Agusan Marsh.

Introduced Native (true

(migratory) freshwater fish)
4% 19%
Introduced (true
freshwater fish)
38%

Native
(migratory)
39%
Number of native and introduced invertebrate
species in the Agusan Marsh.

Introduced
13%

Native
87%
Identified threats to freshwater fauna

* Species introduction
* Illegal fishing
* electrofishing
* fish poisoning
* use of banned gears
* Overfishing/over-hunting
* Habitat degradation
* Pollution
* heavy metal contamination
* bacterial contamination
Table 9 List of introduced species in the Agusan Marsh and their positive and
negative ecological and socio-economic impacts.
Species Feeding ecology (+) impacts (-) impacts

Channa striata Detritus (Talde et al., 2004), young fry A food fish with high Predator of native species
feed on algae and protozoan; juveniles aquaculture value &
feed on small crustaceans; adults are commands a good price
highly carnivorous (Conlu, 1986), in the market
feeding on worms, prawns, frogs,
small fishes (Mohsin & Ambak, 1983)
Oreochromis Phytoplankton (Gwahaba, 1973), algal Source of food & Compete with indigenous
niloticus filaments, diatoms, unidentified income; good for weed fishes for food & habitat;
organic matter (Fagade & Olaniyan, control as it uproot adds up to water turbidity
1973), blue-green algae (Ofojekwu & submerged weeds while uprooting weeds
Ejike, 1992), detritus (Talde et al., 2004)

Clarias Insect larvae, earthworms, shells, Major source of food & Displace native catfish &
batrachus shrimps, small fish, aquatic plants and livelihood (aquaculture other freshwater fishes of
debris (Ukkatawewat, 1999), detritus & capture fishery) similar food & habitat; pest
(Talde et al., 2004), rotifers, organic in tilapia ponds
debris (Rainboth, 1996)
C. gariepinus Insects, plankton, invertebrates & fish, Major source of food & Displace native fishes of
young birds, rotting flesh and plants livelihood (aquaculture similar food & habitat; pest
(de Moor & Broton, 1988) & capture fishery) in tilapia ponds
Cyprinus carpio Aquatic insects, crustaceans, annelids, Commercial aquaculture Competitor of native
mollusks, weed & tree seeds, wild rice, species; source of food species; cage culture –
aquatic plants, algae (Scott & & income; source of have caused pollution of
Crossman, 1973); detritus (Rainboth, genetic material for major lakes & reservoirs
1996) breeding
Glossogobius Plant debris (Talde et al., 2004), fish Source of food & Predator of native fishes
giuris bones, nektons (Rainboth, 1996) livelihood
Table 9 continue

Species Feeding ecology + impacts - impacts

Pterygoplichthys Algivorous, detritivorous, Ornamental fish Adverse competitor of

disjunctivus insectivorous, granivorous, indigenous fishes; destroy
moluscivorous or scavengers nets and pen cages; negative
(Armbruster 2002) impact on local fishery
Osphronemus Detritus, plant debris, Source of food & livelihood Competes with native fishes in
gouramy phytoplankton (Rainboth terms of food & habitat
1996), feed on both plants and
animals such as aquatic
weeds, fish, frogs,
earthworms, dead animals
(Ukkatawewat 1999)
Trichogaster Algae, phytoplankton Source of food & livelihood No known adverse ecological
pectoralis (Rainboth 1996), detritus, impacts in the marsh
insects, water mites,
copepods, cladocerans,
rotifers (Talde, Mamaril, and
Palomares 2006)
T. trichopterus Detritus (Talde, Mamaril, and Source of food & livelihood No known adverse ecological
Palomares 2006), zooplankton, impacts in the marsh
crustaceans and insect larvae,
cladocerans (Rainboth 1996)
Poecilia reticulata Planktivores, detritivores No known positive impacts No known adverse ecological
(Fishbase, 2006) impacts in the marsh
Table 9 continue
Species Feeding ecology + impacts
Cristaria plicata Filter feeder & detritivore Food/income; biological
filter; source of freshwater
pearl; shells can be used for
handicrafts
Pomacea Feed on detritus & plants Illegally introduced through
canaliculata the aquarium trade as a
source of food cultured in
confined environment
(aquaria, tanks)
- impacts
Host of harmful bacteria;
nuisance in ponds as the
sharp shells can injure
workers
It became feral when it
escaped to irrigation systems
and ricefields; rice pest;
bacterial host (e.g.,
Schistosomiasis)
Possible management schemes
Threats Possible management schemes
Introduced species • Proper implementation of wildlife law and effective
law enforcement
• Increase indigenous awareness on invasive
species and their serious ecological impacts
• Formulation of eradication measures like the
conversion of the invader into fish meal, fertilizer
and other useful products;
Illegal fishing •Banning of the use of electrical gadgets, chemicals
and ichthyotoxic plants poisoning and other illegal
fishing methods
• Information campaign and regular monitoring
Overfishing/over-hunting • Conduct of extensive biological research on the
freshwater fishes and invertebrates in the Marsh to
establish open and close season
• Information campaign and monitoring
Habitat degradation • Introduced an ecological waste water management
for floating houses in the marsh
• Information campaign and monitoring
Pollution • Banning of mercury from the mining practices
• information campaign on health and sanitation
THANK YOU AND HAVE A
GOOD DAY.