Invasive Devil Fish Overrun Quintana Roo Waters

Ramonal, Quintana Roo — The community of Ramonal, located 30 kilometers from Chetumal, has raised alarms over the rapidly expanding presence of the invasive "devil fish" (Hypostomus plecostomus) in freshwater bodies across southern Quintana Roo. A recent community effort resulted in the capture of 500 specimens in just 48 hours, underscoring the alarming speed at which this species is spreading and threatening native fish with high ecological and economic value.

A Silent Invasion with Growing Impact

The devil fish was first detected in the Río Hondo in 2013. Since then, it has colonized Chetumal Bay, Calderitas, Laguna Guerrero, Buenavista, and Pedro Antonio de los Santos in Bacalar. Its presence has also been documented in water bodies near Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Laguna de Mariscal. This rapid expansion highlights the species' adaptability and the severe risk it poses to fragile ecosystems.

The exponential growth of its population has placed direct pressure on native species, many of which are now declining at an alarming rate.

Specialized Group Formed to Combat Spread

To address the crisis, a specialized task force has been established, comprising institutions such as the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo (Ibanqroo), the Chetumal Institute of Technology (ITCH), the University of Quintana Roo (UQROO), as well as state and municipal authorities and riverside communities in Othón P. Blanco, Bacalar, and Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

The group's primary objective is to coordinate monitoring, capture, and scientific analysis efforts. According to Miguel Mateo Sabido Itzá from the Protected Natural Areas division, while the problem is not new, its impact became more evident after the species was discovered in Bacalar Lagoon in February of this year.

Ecological Disruption and Threat to Fisheries

Researchers, including Jacobo Schmitter Soto from El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur), warn that the devil fish digs tunnels that erode riverbanks, alter water quality, and disturb sediment. Additionally, it competes with native species for food and habitat, disrupting their reproduction.

Without effective control measures, southern Quintana Roo could mirror other regions of Mexico where devil fish now dominate up to 90% of fishery catches.

Ramonal Community Struggles with Limited Resources

For the residents of Ramonal, the devil fish is a daily challenge. "Species we used to see, like the bocona, cabezona, and pinta, are now rare," lamented Joana Cab, a local resident. Despite receiving basic training to identify and record specimens, the situation has overwhelmed the community.

"In two or three days, we can catch up to 500 specimens," Cab said. With no official alternatives for utilizing the captured fish, locals bury them and use them as fertilizer. However, they warn that their resources are insufficient to sustain brigades and are calling for greater government support.

Cab also urged the public not to release these fish into water bodies: "Many people set them free when they outgrow their aquariums, and that’s how the problem keeps spreading."

Current Strategies Fall Short

Ibanqroo’s efforts include targeted captures and nighttime patrols in critical zones such as Cocalitos and Buenavista in Bacalar. Specimens have also been collected for genetic studies to trace their origin and introduction pathways.

However, the contrast between these campaigns and the 500 fish removed in Ramonal in just two days makes it clear that current measures are insufficient against an unstoppable invasion.