[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]
Danika Geronimo, Ateneo Research Communications
A hardy aquarium fish prized for its golden hue, the ornamental Flowerhorn cichlid (Amphilophus spp.) has become a problem for the residents of San Pablo City, Laguna: it is increasingly taking on an outsized role in both the natural ecosystem and local aquaculture operations in nearby Lake Sampaloc.
Researchers from the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Biology and the Ateneo Aquatic and Fisheries Resources Laboratory have documented the broad presence of Flowerhorn cichlids in the volcanic crater lake in San Pablo City, Laguna. The researchers say that this “fenced and feral” status is intensifying pressure on native biodiversity and posing potential risks to public health.
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Sought after in the aquarium trade for their vibrant golden hue, Flowerhorn cichlids are becoming a concerning invasive presence in Lake Sampaloc. SOURCE: Gasmen, 2026.
Originally introduced through the aquarium trade, Flowerhorns reportedly escaped into the lake during a major typhoon, and fish assemblage surveys as early as 2016 had already documented their establishment. Researchers Hannah Nicole C. Gasmen and Dr. Janice A. Ragaza discovered that the species “are no longer merely escaped ornamental fishes, but have become integrated into local aquaculture through intentional retention and sale, indicating that human activities may continue to reinforce their persistence and spread.”
