Freshwater Ornamental Fish Trade in Tanzania: Species Composition, Trade Practices and Conservation Risks

The ornamental fish trade is one of the fastest‐growing sectors of the global aquatic animal industry, involving more than 7900 fish species. Global demand for ornamental fish has increased substantially over the past few decades, with millions of fish traded annually to supply the expanding aquarium industry. The industry in Tanzania is also expanding rapidly, yet information on traded species, trade practices and associated conservation risks remains limited. This study assessed freshwater (FW) ornamental fish trade practices and their conservation risks in Tanzania through a cross‐sectional survey involving 124 respondents, including 70 fishers, 31 importers, 20 exporters and 3 law enforcers across Kigoma, Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Arusha regions. Data on FW ornamental fish species, trade pathways and regulatory practices were collected through questionnaires, interviews and field surveys, whereas species conservation status and invasion history were obtained from FishBase, the IUCN Red List and published literature. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results revealed a well‐organized trade network dominated by exporters linking local collectors and breeders to international markets. Export trade mainly relied on wild‐caught endemic cichlids (70%) from Lake Tanganyika, with Cyphotilapia frontosa being the most frequently traded species. Imported ornamental fishes were recorded under 113 unique trade names, representing multiple taxonomic species across 14 families, with imports originating predominantly from Asian countries. Several imported species previously reported as invasive in introduced environments globally were recorded, including Carassius auratus with 100% frequency of occurrence from all importers, followed by Poecilia reticulata (83.8%) and Cyprinus rubrofuscus (78.6%). Respondents also reported permit‐related difficulties and awareness of unofficial trade routes, indicating regulatory and compliance challenges within the sector. The study highlights the need for improved species‐level monitoring, stronger regulatory enforcement, and enhanced biosecurity measures to support sustainable ornamental fish trade while minimizing ecological risks to native aquatic ecosystems.