An unexpectedly strange catch from a shallow pond near Sukkur made its way to Karachi Fish Harbour on January 4, 2026—and has left experts deeply concerned. The exotic Amazon sailfin catfish, a species not native to Pakistan, has been officially identified and is making waves for all the wrong reasons.
This unusual fish, first spotted by local handlers who called it an “alien species”, is now believed to have infiltrated water bodies throughout Sindh and even parts of lower Punjab by accident. Known for its tough, armored body covered in bony plates, the Amazon sailfin catfish hails from Latin America. While it’s a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts worldwide, it has a notorious reputation for being an invasive menace.
Scientists now say the Amazon sailfin catfish has multiplied so rapidly in Pakistan that eradicating or properly controlling it is no longer possible.
The invader joins a growing list of at least 26 fish species introduced to Pakistan’s waters—either deliberately or by accident—which have turned invasive. These foreign fish are damaging the country’s aquatic diversity and throwing natural ecosystems off balance.
Pakistan’s relationship with intrusive fish species actually began in 1928, when brown trout and rainbow trout were added to the rivers of what is now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Over the years, species like Mozambique tilapia, common carp, goldfish and grass carp were brought in to boost fish supplies and fight aquatic weeds.
By the 1980s, even more non-native fish joined the mix—silver carp, bighead carp, Nile tilapia and blue tilapia. Grass carp made a return, all part of efforts to strengthen the country’s fish farming. As a result, these species have not only survived, but thrived in Pakistan’s rivers and lakes, harming local plants and animals along the way.
The main aim behind this fishy influx was to improve aquaculture, but experts say the environmental risks were mostly brushed aside.
According to WWF Pakistan, one thing is clear: Bringing these foreign fish into the country has badly damaged both aquatic biodiversity and natural habitats throughout Pakistan.
