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Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis

Basic information
Scientific name Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis

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アユ
Common names Ayu sweetfish
Higher taxon Plecoglossidae, Osmeriformes, Actinopterygii
Natural range Korean Peninsula, coastal region of continental China, N Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan (W Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu)
Habitat Middle part of rivers, lakes, and sea.
Invasion information
Range in Japan Ayu from Biwako Lake (Shiga Pref.) is released to almost entire Japan. Range in Japan
Origin Biwako Lake, Japan.
Date Routinely released.
Route For sports fishing and food.
Impact Unknown impact. The Biwako Lake popuplation may not hybridize with river populations and may not be established in rivers because of differences in phenology and physiology. The Biwako population is possibly established in lakes.
Regulation in Japan Capture of this species is controled by almost local governments.
Introduced range in other countries Taiwan (from Japan)
Reference Notes
  • Froese & Pauly (eds) (2009) FishBase (Accessed on 2010-12-07) http://www.fishbase.org/search.cfm
  • Kawanabe et al. (eds) (2002) Freshwater Fishes of Japan, 3rd ed.. Yama-kei Publishers, Tokyo (in Jpn)
  • Matsuzawa & Senou (2008) Alien fishes of Japan. Bun-ichi Sogo Shuppan, Tokyo (in Jpn)
Accidental hitchhiking on release of ayu may be a major introduction route for introduction of alien freshwater fishes within Japan.