New Delhi: A slang term for rough fish, trash or dirt fish is a broad category of “undesirable” fish simply because they are not eaten or killed for sport. These non-game fish, which include many species, make up a majority of commercial food fish catches in freshwater bodies. Considered revulsive, these fish are placed at the lowest rung of a non-existent fish hierarchical system. When caught by fishermen or anglers by accident, they are knocked on the head and left to rot on river banks or fishing decks to reduce overpopulation.
Usually inhabiting muddy waters, these fish are believed to prey on other, more viable game fish like bass and trout. They are sometimes even targeted by fishermen who catch them in nets simply to kill them or poison the water to exterminate them.
These native fish were deemed valuable by European colonisers, who pushed them to the side, believing fish like bass, trout, and salmon to be more valuable.
But the truth is, many of these “undesirables” actually play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems. Some help clear the riverbeds, while others are apex predators. Let us meet some of these so-called trash fish:
List of so-called trash fish
Largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus)
Bowfin (Amia calva)
Bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus)
Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula)
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus)
A bottom feeder, the largescale sucker, has a large, fleshy mouth that it uses to consume algae, small invertebrates and other waste materials at the riverbeds. A major nuisance for sport fishermen, who prefer more “glamorous fish,” the ecological role of this essential fish is often ignored, mainly due to unawareness among the fishing community.
Bowfin (Amia calva)
Also called mudfish, dogfish and swamp trout, this species eats anything it can ingest, thus helping maintain ecological balance. Anglers consider these medium-sized fish undesirable due to their stubbornness. However, some anglers are ready for a fight and enjoy a tug-of-war with this swamp inhabitant.
Bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus)
These bottom feeders, which can live up to 127 years, play a vital ecological role by vacuuming up plankton and invasive algae, helping maintain water quality. Although anglers mostly overlook this species because of its lack of appeal, in some places, the fish is appreciated for its mild-flavoured flesh and is hunted by commercial fishermen.
Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula)
One of the largest freshwater fish in the United States, the alligator-like fish is partly hated for its intimidating appearance. These apex predators play a crucial role in their ecosystems, but their prehistoric look deters sport fishermen, who often kill them purely for the thrill of it. Today, the alligator gar is an endangered species.
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Native to Europe, this species was introduced to North America in the 1830s and is now considered a nuisance. A resilient species, it quickly spread in North America and became invasive, disrupting the lives of native fish species. This has earned it a negative reputation; however, it is valued by anglers and considered a delicacy in Europe.
Another name for the Tilapia fish is trash fish!
Due to its abundance in freshwater bodies, tilapia is known as the trash fish. These fish reproduce, develop, grow astonishingly and feed primarily on algae and plankton.
This highly adaptable and invasive fish has been introduced into many new environments, either accidentally or deliberately, and it disrupts the ecological balance of the water body in which it is released.
In 2017, the fish, widely consumed previously, became infamously known as the “poop fish.” This name arose because when tilapia weren’t provided proper food sources in pisciculture farms, they resorted to eating faecal matter.
However, after the mass administration of appropriate antibiotics, the public’s fear was dispelled, and tilapia began to be consumed once more.
Who are the trash fish and why are they hated so much? Read on to know more about these fish that live in muddy waters and are killed by anglers. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
