Which rare eel was identified in Sukhna Lake thanks to a cormorant?

A barred spiny eel (Macrognathus pancalus), not previously listed in Sukhna Lake species checklists, was identified from a cormorant's catch.

How are photographers contributing to Sukhna Lake's biodiversity research?

Photographers like Anuj Jain and Dr. Manjit Singh capture images of cormorants' catches, providing crucial visual data for identifying new species and invasive threats.

Home / Environment / Cormorants Reveal Hidden Invasive Fish in Sukhna Lake

Cormorants Reveal Hidden Invasive Fish in Sukhna Lake

Q: What invasive fish did Anuj Jain's cormorant photo reveal in Sukhna Lake?

Anuj Jain's photograph of a cormorant's catch led to the identification of an invasive Amazonian sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys species).

18 Jan

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Summary

Photographs of cormorants helped identify invasive species previously unknown to researchers.
An invasive Amazonian sailfin catfish was identified from a cormorant's catch.
A rare barred spiny eel, not on previous checklists, was documented by a cormorant's catch.

Cormorants Reveal Hidden Invasive Fish in Sukhna Lake

Photographs of cormorants hunting have provided crucial insights into the biodiversity of Sukhna Lake, revealing previously undocumented species and invasive threats. Award-winning photographer Anuj Jain's images, initially focused on the birds, led to the identification of an invasive Amazonian sailfin catfish, highlighting the illegal release of aquarium species. This discovery alerted zoology and wildlife departments to a significant ecological concern.

Further photographic evidence from a cormorant’s catch, documented by Dr. Manjit Singh and analyzed by fish expert Dr. Onkar S Brraich, identified a barred spiny eel. This eel was notably absent from previous comprehensive species checklists compiled in 2005-2006 and 2012-2014 by the university's Zoology department.