The Survey of the Imported Freshwater Decapod Species via the Ornamental Aquarium Trade in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the situation with imported freshwater decapod species via the live aquarium ornamental trade in Turkey was investigated year round during 2011. The scientific and common names, native geographic regions, import sizes and prices were recorded. Among the 28 imported freshwater decapod species recorded in this survey, 15 are shrimps, 9 are crayfish and 4 are crabs. Those imported species might have escaped or have been released into the wild due to misguided cultural habits or incorrect conservation concepts. The objective of this study is to raise awareness of imported freshwater decapods and to present a list of the species currently traded in the aquarium industry in Turkey.