004

Question 1

Aggressive, nonnative species whose
presence causes or is likely to cause harm to the environment, economy, and/or human health. These species often grow, reproduce, and spread rapidly.

Answer 1

Invasive Species

Question 2

Examples of Invasive Species

Answer 2

• Janitor Fish
• Largemouth Bass
• Mozambique Tilapia

Question 3

Native to the local landscape but still can
cause problems.

Answer 3

Nuisance Species

Question 4

Examples of Nuisance Species

Answer 4

• Green Mussel
• Water Hyacinth

Question 5

Often referred to as alien, nonnative, nonindigenous,
or introduced species, are those that occur in areas outside of their
natural geographic range.

Answer 5

Exotic Species

Question 6

Examples of Exotic Species

Answer 6

• Nile Tilapia
• Common Carp

Question 7

Uniquely found in one part of the world, and that part only. These types of animals are most commonly found in
more isolated parts of the globe, like islands, but they can be found
in other places too.

Answer 7

Endemic Species

Question 8

Examples of Endemic Species

Answer 8

• Sinarapan
• Cebu Sardine

Question 9

Also called native species is found in a certain ecosystem due to natural processes such as natural distribution.

Answer 9

Indigenous Species

Question 10

Examples of Indigenous Species

Answer 10

• Milkfish
• Silver Perch

Question 11

The Philippines boasts over ____ fish
species scattered all over the country.

Answer 11

2300

Question 12

In the aquaculture setting, most of
the fish production are dominated by
two species which are?

Answer 12

Tilapia and Milkfish

Question 13

In the aquaculture setting, most of
the fish production are dominated by
two species which are?

Answer 13

Tilapia and Milkfish

Question 14

A recent publication by Jamandre
(2023) indicate a total of _____ fish species within 29 orders and 78 families reside in the
country.

Answer 14

374
freshwater

Question 15

How many native species found in the country?

Answer 15

310 Native Species

Question 16

How many are endemic?

Answer 16

85 Endemic Species

Question 17

One of the earliest aquaculture species
introduced in the Philippines.
In 2022, this was the most produced
aquaculture fish species due to its flexibility (388 thousand metric tons). It can be cultured in freshwater, brackish water, and even marine environments.

Answer 17

Milkfish (Chanos chanos)

Question 18

When their skin is damaged or hurt, it produces
an alarm substance that alerts other to seek a
hiding place to avoid the predator.

Answer 18

Milkfish (Chanos chanos)

Question 19

It comprises 70 to 80% of the global Tilapia production.
This occurs in a wide variety of freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes,
sewage canals and irrigation channels. Does not do well in pure salt water, but
is able to survive in brackish water.
It feeds mainly on phytoplankton or
benthic algae.

Answer 19

Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Question 20

It has its own hieroglyph in the ancient Egyptian arts and it symbolizes “rebirth”.

Answer 20

Nile Tilapia

Question 21

The _____ or ‘Java’ tilapia is generally
black in color. The underside of the head is
white, and dorsal and caudal fins have red
margins.
It can thrive in freshwater, brackish water
and/or seawater and it is the most common
tilapia found in coastal waters upstream of
the surf zone.
Java Tilapia accounts for about 10% of world
tilapia production.

Answer 21

Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Question 22

The _____ or ‘Java’ tilapia is generally
black in color. The underside of the head is
white, and dorsal and caudal fins have red
margins.
It can thrive in freshwater, brackish water
and/or seawater and it is the most common
tilapia found in coastal waters upstream of
the surf zone.
Java Tilapia accounts for about 10% of world
tilapia production.

Answer 22

Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Question 23

The _____ or ‘Java’ tilapia is generally
black in color. The underside of the head is
white, and dorsal and caudal fins have red
margins.
It can thrive in freshwater, brackish water
and/or seawater and it is the most common
tilapia found in coastal waters upstream of
the surf zone.
Java Tilapia accounts for about 10% of world
tilapia production.

Answer 23

Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Question 24

They are mouthbrooders, meaning the
female carries the fertilized eggs and young fry in her mouth for protection until they are ready to swim on their
own.

Answer 24

Mozambique tilapia

Question 25

It looks similar to the Nile tilapia with black blotches on the body and
the caudal fin.
An obvious distinguishing characteristic of
this is its yellow underside and
yellow margins on the caudal and pectoral
fins.
It grows fast and thrives in
colder waters, such as those found in
mountain lakes and reservoirs.

Answer 25

Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)

Question 26

As its name suggests, male ___ develop a striking
blue coloration during the breeding season, particularly
on their bodies and fins, which helps them attract mates.

Answer 26

Blue Tilapia

Question 27

This is not a distinct species but a
hybrid variety of tilapia bred for its reddishpink color. Commonly, it is a cross
between Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia)
and
Oreochromis
mossambicus (Mozambique Tilapia). It is widely cultured in the Philippines. It is a popular choice in local aquaculture due to its appealing reddish
color, which makes it more marketable and
fetches a higher price compared to regular
tilapia varieties.

Answer 27

Red Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.)

Question 28

Due to its similar reddish-pink appearance, it
can be mistaken for or intentionally mislabeled as Red Snapper which is a more expensive fish.

Answer 28

Red Tilapia

Question 29

This is a freshwater fish
that was introduced in the Philippines
as early as 1915.
Years later, it was stocked in Laguna
de Bay and Camarines Sur.
These are now found in Lake Lanao,
Lake Buhi , Laguna de Bay, Ambuklao
and Caliraya Dams and Angat
Reservoir.

Answer 29

Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Question 30

Considering its native origin, it can tolerate extremes in water temperature and
high turbidity.
It
have
been
successfully
introduced in many countries where they are
used mainly for aquaculture.
They are commonly stocked with silver carp to
control plankton blooms and maintain good
water quality in wastewater lagoons, reservoirs, and fish production ponds

Answer 30

Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Nobilis)

Question 31

They are exceptional at filtering water because they primarily feed on plankton. They can consume large
amounts of algae and microscopic organisms by
continuously swimming with their mouths open, filtering
particles through their specialized gill rakers.

Answer 31

Bighead carp

Question 32

Commonly known in the Philippines as
“Babangan”, this species has been established
in aquaculture through assisted or artificial
reproduction.
It has not been established in the wild but has
already been reported in Laguna de Bay. Recorded from Candaba Swamp and Pampanga
River.
Babangan has been recorded as being farmed in
rice fields.

Answer 32

Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Question 33

They are known for jumping out of the water when
startled by boat engines. They can jump 8-9 feet out of
the water!

Answer 33

Silver Carp

Question 34

Locally known as “Ayungin”, it
is an endemic freshwater species that is
caught or cultured for food in the
Philippines.
Back in 1991, Ayungin was considered to be
the most abundant fish species in Laguna
de Bay. However, the introduction of invasive species such as bass and tilapia
and overfishing contributed to a severe
decline in its population.

Answer 34

Silver Perch (Leiopotherapon plumbeus)

Question 35

The ayungin is popular among Filipinos because it is the tastiest among all native freshwater fish species. It is also renowned as Jose Rizal’s favorite fish.

Answer 35

Silver Perch

Question 36

Locally known as lapu-lapu, is a
highly esteemed food fish in the Philippines. It
represents about 2% of the total fish catch in
the country.
Live ___ sold in the market fetch a higher
price compared to other fishes grown in
Southeast Asia. The demand is year-round, and
the live fish trade is expanding.
In the Philippines, these are being cultured
in traditional sea cages.

Answer 36

Grouper (Epinephelus spp.)

Question 37

As they mature, they change from being a female to a
male.

Answer 37

Groupers

Question 38

Also known as “Rabbitfish”, are algaefeeding marine species that are sometimes poly-cultured with Milkfish in sea pens.
The general principles employed in the
farming are similar to those used in milkfish
farming. The layout of the ponds, type of food
grown, stocking rates, and rearing periods in the
various ponds are similar. They attain marketable size within five to seven months.

Answer 38

Siganid (Sigsiganus guttatus)

Question 39

It is able to change the color of the body during
the night or when it is faced with danger and to blend with
the colors of its environment.

Answer 39

Rabbitfish or Siganid

Question 40

Introduced
in the 1980s, is a high-yield, larger, faster,
and commercially valuable commodity.
By the early 2000s, it had overtaken other
cultured species of catfish in the country
and was the most abundant catfish species
in the country.

Answer 40

African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Question 41

They are known for their ability to move across land! During dry conditions or when searching for better
water sources, they can use their strong pectoral fins and
body movements to “walk” or wriggle over short distances
on land.

Answer 41

African catfish

Question 42

This long, dark fish has lung-like organs and
high tolerance to harsh living conditions,
and it can leave the water to walk/wiggle to
a better location as long as it stays moist.
Although it is native to Southeast Asia, it
has successfully invaded other areas with the help of humans, including eastern India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Florida.

Answer 42

Thai Catfish (Clarias batrachus)

Question 43

Because of their mobility and tolerance, and their indiscriminate feeding habits, this has been
labeled as an aggressively invasive species and
blacklisted in several countries, including the US.

Answer 43

Thai Catfish

Question 44

This is a native but fast disappearing species in the Philippines. It is locally named as “hito” to Tagalogs,
“paltat” to Ilocanos, “pantat” to Cebuanos and Ilongos, and “ito” to
Pampangueños. It is an esteemed food fish
especially in Southeast Asia due to its tender and
delicious meat.
This commodity constitutes a valuable fishery for small-scale fishers in the region and has a great
potential for aquaculture.

Answer 44

Broadhead Catfish (Clarias microcephalus)

Question 45

It exhibit notable parental care
behavior. After spawning, the female will guard the eggs
and protect the fry (young fish) in their early stages.

Answer 45

Broadhead catfish

Question 46

A type of freshwater fish that is
native to Southeast Asia.
It is also known as the Mekong giant catfish or
Vietnamese catfish. Its farming has
become popular in recent years due to the
high demand for this fish. This requires a warm climate to grow
properly. The water temperature should be
between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius.

Answer 46

Pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus)

Question 47

This fish have a unique ability to produce sounds by
rapidly contracting their muscles around their swim
bladder. This sound production is often described as
“singing” or grunting. They use these sounds for
communication, especially during mating or when they
are stressed.

Answer 47

Pangasius

Question 48

It is also known as the common snakehead,
chevron snakehead, or snakehead murrel
and generally referred to simply as mudfish.
It is native to South and Southeast Asia, and
has been introduced to some Pacific Islands.
It can survive in both fresh and brackish
water and typically breeds in ditches, ponds
and flooded paddy fields.

Answer 48

Striped Snakehead (Channa striata)

Question 49

It is known for its aggressive
predatory behavior and adaptability in various
environments. It preys on fish, amphibians, and even
small mammals.

Answer 49

Striped Snakehead

Question 50

It was introduced in the Philippines in
1905 as an aquaculture species without a
thorough evaluation of its possible negative
impact on the environment.
In Cagayan Valley Region, it is being
considered as a pest due to the economic
loss it brought to farmers as it bore holes on
the dikes, draining the water from the rice
field, thus, contributing to the expenses for
the farmers.

Answer 50

Rice Eel (Monopterus albus)

Question 51

These are considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia,
particularly in countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and
Vietnam. They are often used in traditional dishes, soups,
and stir-fries due to their tender, flavorful flesh.

Answer 51

Rice eels

Question 52

In what family does Oysters belong?

Answer 52

Ostreidae

Question 53

In what family does Mussels belong?

Answer 53

Mytilidae

Question 54

In what family does Clams belong?

Answer 54

Mercenaridae

Question 55

In what family does Scallops belong?

Answer 55

Pectinidae

Question 56

In what family does Abalone belong?

Answer 56

Haliotidae

Question 57

In what family does Cockles belong?

Answer 57

Arcidae

Question 58

Shape: Elongated, oval, and symmetrical shells that are usually dark in color.
Habitat: Typically found attached to rocks or other surfaces in marine and freshwater environments.
Feeding: Filter feeders; they also filter phytoplankton.
Reproduction: Generally have separate sexes, though some can be hermaphroditic.

Answer 58

Mytilidae (Mussels)

Question 59

In the Philippines, there are three species of mussels used as food which are?

Answer 59

• Green Mussel (Perna viridis)
• Brown mussel (Modiolus metcalfei)
• Philippine Horse Mussel (Modiolus philippinarum)

Question 60

The “tahong” as it is locally known, is the only species of mussel farmed commercially in
some areas in the Philippines.
It is one of the most popular shellfish in the Philippines and is cultured extensively. Culture
methods rely on the fact that at a certain point in development, the planktonic larvae settle in any suitable
substrate present. It is popular as an appetizer, in noodle dishes, and as a viand.

Answer 60

Green Mussel (Perna viridis)

Question 61

They are harvested from natural grounds, are not suitable for
farming because it is not known to attach to ropes or bamboo poles, but only on living adults
growing in dense mats on muddy bottoms.
It dwells in the mud bottoms of estuaries such as Batan Bay in Aklan . It attaches itself to the
bottom by its byssal threads. Unlike the green mussel, however, it seems to prefer horizontal
surfaces to vertical ones, making field culture more difficult.

Answer 61

Brown Mussel (Modiolus metcalfei)

Question 62

Elongated to ovate thin shell with smooth yellowish brown periostracum and numerous concentric growth
marks.
This species is present in the Red Sea, Madagascar, and Indo-Pacific, from eastern Africa to eastern
Indonesia; north to Japan, and south to Queensland and Western Australia. Much like brown mussels, this inhabit sublittoral muds to a depth of 40 meters.

Answer 62

Philippine Horse Mussel (Modiolus philippinarum)

Question 63

Shape: Generally irregular and asymmetrical shells.
Habitat: Often found attached to hard substrates or each other in intertidal and subtidal zones.
Feeding: Filter feeders; filter plankton from the water.
Reproduction: Can change sex; many are hermaphroditic

Answer 63

Ostreidae (Oysters)

Question 64

The most common aquaculture species of oysters in the
Philippines are called ______. They grow attached to hard objects in brackish
shallow intertidal or subtidal waters, at depths of 0 to
300 metres (0 to 984 ft ).

Answer 64

Talabang Tsinelas (Ostrea
iredalei).

Question 65

Shape: Generally symmetrical and rounded or oval shells.
Habitat: Burrow into the sand or mud in both marine and freshwater environments.
Feeding: Filter feeders, but some can also be deposit feeders.
Reproduction: Usually have separate sexes and release eggs into the water for external fertilization.

Answer 65

Mercenaridae (Clams)

Question 66

Shape: Fan-shaped, with a distinct, ribbed shell; usually symmetrical.
Habitat: Mostly found on the seafloor, either free-swimming or attached to substrates.
Feeding: Filter feeders that actively swim by rapidly opening and closing their shells.
Reproduction: Typically have separate sexes; some species can change sex.

Answer 66

Pectinidae (Scallops)

Question 67

Shape: Characterized by a flattened, ear-shaped shell with a series of holes along the edge.
Habitat: Typically found in rocky marine environments, often in shallow waters.
Feeding: Herbivorous; they graze on algae using a rough tongue called a radula.
Reproduction: Usually have separate sexes and release eggs and sperm into the water for external fertilization.

Answer 67

Haliotidae (Abalone)

Question 68

Shape: Rounded and asymmetrical shells, often with prominent ribs.
Habitat: Burrow in sandy or muddy substrates in marine environments.
Feeding: Filter feeders; they can also be deposit feeders.
Reproduction: Typically have separate sexes and release gametes into the water for external
fertilization.

Answer 68

Arcidae (Cockles)

Question 69

Crustacean Aquaculture in the Philippines is primarily dominated by different species of?

Answer 69

shrimp/
prawn and crabs.

Question 70

This is the largest species among penaeid
shrimps and prawns in Southeast Asian
waters. One of the largest females caught
had a carapace length of 8.2 cm or body
length of 27 cm weighing 240 g.
Sugpo, considered to be a delicacy in the
Philippines, is an expensive food item.
In 2022, the Philippine aquaculture industry
produced over 33 thousand metric tons of
this, reflecting almost half of the country’s shrimp production.

Answer 70

Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon)

Question 71

This is one of the most
widely cultured shrimp species globally,
known for its fast growth, high market
demand, and adaptability to various farming
conditions.
The Philippines exports this shrimp species
to various countries, including the United
States and Japan, making it a key player in
the global seafood trade.
In 2022, over half of the country’s shrimp
production was _____.

Answer 71

Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Question 72

Also known as the Yellow Endeavor Prawn,
this species is smaller compared to the Black
Tiger Prawn, typically growing to about 16
cm (6 inches) in length.
It has a yellowish-brown shell with faint
transverse bands, and its body is slender
compared to other prawn species.
It is another important aquaculture species,
though, it is not widely cultivated in the
country. In 2022, only 253 metric tons of
these were produced locally.

Answer 72

Endeavor Prawn (Metapenaeus endeavouri)

Question 73

One of the important species in aquaculture
in Asia, including the Philippines. This
species has been cultivated due to its
adaptability to different environmental
conditions, high growth rates, and market
demand.
These are omnivorous and can thrive
on a mixed diet of natural pond organisms
(plankton, detritus) and commercial shrimp
feed.
In 2022, only 372 metric tons of this
was produced locally.

Answer 73

White Prawn (Penaeus Indicus)

Question 74

Among the Family Palaemonidae, this
species is attaining the largest size and is
probably one of the biggest freshwater
prawns in the world.
It is a highly valued species in aquaculture
due to its large size, high market demand,
and the fact that it can be cultured in
freshwater systems.
In 2022, only 3.5 metric tons of this was produced by the country’s
aquaculture industry.

Answer 74

Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

Question 75

Also known locally as “Takla”, it is a species of shrimp belonging to
the family Alpheidae that is beginning to be
cultured in the coastal areas of the
Philippines. This is among the world’s
fastest shrimps and can produce the loudest
sounds underwater.
While these are not yet widely
farmed commercially in the Philippines, there is growing interest in their potential as
a niche aquaculture product.

Answer 75

Green Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus normanni)

Question 76

One of the most widely recognized and commercially important species of crayfish.
It is native to the southern United States and
northern Mexico but has been introduced to
many parts of the world for aquaculture, as
well as accidentally through the aquarium
trade.
In the Philippines, this
has garnered attention due to its
adaptability and market potential, although
its aquaculture is not as widespread as more
established.

Answer 76

Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

Question 77

This is the most well-known species of crab
which can sometimes also be called the “Sri
Lankan crab.” In the Philippines where mud crab
aquaculture is widely practiced, they are
grown bigger than 1kg in size.
This species prefers a higher salinity of 18 to
25 ppt as compared with the other species.

Answer 77

Giant Mud Crab (Scylla serrata)

Question 78

This species is easy to identify from their red-colored claw and is commonly found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, and
the Philippines.
This species does not seem to grow beyond
800 grams. They are usually found in areas
with lower salinity, in regions as low as 8 to
15 ppt. However, they are prized for their fullness in
their meat which corresponds to higher
protein content. Despite tougher and fuller
meat.

Answer 78

Orange Mud Crab (Scylla olivacea)

Question 79

Commonly wrongly identified as Scylla
serrata, its claws are
usually dark brown or purple (violet) in color,
and can go up to 1kg in size.
It is commonly found in India, Malaysia,
Indonesia, and the Philippines. Similar to the
Scylla olivacea, they are commonly farmed
for soft-shell crab purposes. However, they
are not as aggressive as Scylla olivacea .
They also prefer a lower salinity range of 10
to 17ppt.

Answer 79

Purple Mud Crab (Scylla transquebarica)

Question 80

They are commonly found in Vietnam,
Cambodia, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In Vietnam, these
Scylla Paramamosain are commonly farmed
in traditional mud ponds from fly sizes up to
300 to 400 grams.
Unlike the Scylla serrata, Scylla
paramamosain can only go up to 600 700
grams. However, they are known to be the
least aggressive among all the other mud
crab species enabling a higher stocking
density.

Answer 80

Green Mud Crab (Scylla Paramamosain)

Question 81

Currently, the Philippines is endowed with production which is mainly _____. Of the more than two dozen species known in the world, three species of Eucheuma
and four species of Kappaphycus are present in the Philippines.

Answer 81

Eucheuma and Kappahycus

Question 82

Three species of Eucheuma

Answer 82

• Eucheuma denticulatum
• Eucheuma arnoldii
• Eucheuma gelatinae

Question 83

Four species of Kappaphycus

Answer 83

• Kappaphycus alvarezii
• Kappaphycus striatum
• Kappaphycus procrusteanum
• Kappaphycus cottonii