Poecilia reticulata (Peters)

Chan, Jeffery C. F., Tsang, Alphonse H. F., Yau, Sze-man, Hui, Tommy C. H., Lau, Anthony, Tan, Heok Hui, Low, Bi Wei, Dudgeon, David & Liew, Jia Huan, 2023, The non-native freshwater fishes of Hong Kong: diversity, distributions, and origins, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 71, pp. 128-168 : 149-150

Poecilia reticulata (Peters)

( Fig. 44, [LU])

Distribution. Lam Tsuen River, Shuen Wan area, Wang Tong River, Sha Lo Wan Stream, ( Chan, 2001); Fung Yuen area (Mouchel Asia Limited, 2002); Tai Po Tsai area (Allied Environmental Consultants Limited, 2004); Lam Tin area (Maunsell Consultants Asia Limited, 2005b); Man Uk Pin Stream (Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited, 2007); Lung Mei area (Halcrow China Limited, 2007); Ping Yuen River (Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited, 2007); Fanling area, Kwu Tung area (Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited, 2013b); Cheung Chau Island area (Atkins China Limited, 2013); Sandy Ridge Cemetery (Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited, 2016); Muk Kiu Tau Tsuen area, Tai Tong area, Shan Ha Tsuen area (Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited, 2017); Lai Chi Wo area ( So, 2019); Sung Shan New Village area, Lin Fa Tei area, Ha Che area (Atkins China Limited, 2020); Pak Tin area (Tai Wai), Pok Hong area, Chun Shek area (AECOM Asia Company Limited, 2021a); Sha Lo Tung Stream, Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, Shap Long Irrigation Reservoir (AFCD, 2021c; current survey); Pak Ngan Heung Stream, Pui O Stream, Wong Lung Hang Stream, Tai Tei Tong Stream, Ngong Ping Stream, Shek Kong Stream (DSD, 2021); Lion’s Nature Education Centre, Mui Tsz Lam Stream, Ha Wo Hang area, Ng Tung River, Tung Ma To Stream (GBIF.org, 2021); Tung Chung River ( Green Power, 2021; current survey); Little Hawaii Stream, Tai Tung Wo Liu Stream, Man Hang Stream, Sam Dip Tam Stream, Tung Tsz Stream, Kau Lung Hang Lo Wai Stream, Tsing Tam Tsuen Stream, Tsui Keng area, So Kwun Wat Stream, Pak Long Stream ( Tsang & Dudgeon, 2021a); Deep Water Bay Stream (current survey).

Native range. Central and South America.

Remarks. This species was introduced alongside Gambusia affinis by the Hong Kong Government for mosquito control around 1940 ( Dudgeon & Corlett, 2004). Escapees or discards from the aquarium trade and individuals released during Buddhist rituals may have also contributed to their establishment in many parts of Hong Kong ( Tricarico et al., 2016). However, this species appears to be less widespread than it was in the 1980s.

Distribution. Lam Tsuen River (DSD, 2021; current survey); Sam Dip Tam Stream, Tung Tsz Stream ( Tsang & Dudgeon, 2021a; current survey).

Native range. Central and South America.

Remarks. Most abundant in a rocky hillstream (Sam Dip Tam Stream).