A team from the Al-Jabaish Environmental Organization in Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq, has achieved a disturbing scientific breakthrough by documenting the first confirmed appearance of the African catfish in the Al-Jabaish marshes in the governorate.
The organization stated in a statement that "this discovery represents the second official record of the species within Iraq, after it was previously observed in the Tigris River near the cities of Baghdad and Mosul by researchers at the University of Baghdad. However, it is the first of its kind within the marshlands, which are listed as a World Heritage Site."
The research team called for "close monitoring of this species and its impact on biodiversity in the marshes," warning of the possibility of its expansion at the expense of local species, which could cause imbalances that would be difficult to address later.
The fish belongs to the catfish family and is characterized by a long dorsal fin that extends the length of its body, a circular caudal fin, and four pairs of sensory hairs (barbels). These characteristics give it a great ability to sense and survive in muddy and turbid waters, which helps it adapt and reproduce in new environments.
Scientists classify this fish as an invasive species, raising environmental concerns about its potential impact on native species and the delicate ecological balance in the marshes, one of the richest and most fragile ecosystems in the region.
