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What if your pet fish could wreak havoc on Australia's ecosystems? Turns out, that's precisely what they'll do if they end up in our waterways.

In today's episode, Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with freshwater fish biologist Dr Mariah Millington, who reveals the surprising capacity for non-native pet fish to damage and degrade Australia's freshwater ecosystems, and particularly the native fish that live within them. Discover how to best dispose of dead pet fish, how common goldfish and other popular pet species can grow to alarming sizes and cause severe ecological damage when released, Mariah's undercover research into forums and marketplaces on the Deep web, and some of the specific species which pose significant ecological risks to Australian native fish, whose populations are already estimated to be less than 10% of their pre-colonisation numbers.

Mariah pulls back the curtain on the underground world of illegal fish trade and the challenges in regulating this thriving online market. You'll be intrigued by the prevalence of pet fish in Australian households and the secretive subculture of basement breeders who bypass legal regulations through platforms like Facebook and Gumtree. From the complexities of transporting fish over long distances to the hidden layers of the web where these transactions occur, our conversation uncovers the dark side of the pet fish industry and the ecological risks it poses.

The threats don't stop there—Tilapia and other invasive fish species are making alarming inroads into Australia's waterways. Tilapia in particular continue to head further south. Learn about the reproductive strategies that make tilapia particularly dangerous and the potential for hybridization to increase their invasive potential. Mariah discusses the importance of public education, biosecurity measures, and promoting native fish conservation initiatives.

This episode is a compelling call to action for protecting our native fish populations and the ecosystems they depend on.

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Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨

If you'd like to support the Australian River Restoration Centre and our work restoring rivers and supporting others to do the same, visit our shop for some of the best gift ideas for nature-lovers. You can also make a tax-deductible direct donation to help support our the health and resilience of our rivers 🌱

We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️