The Philippines has about 330 freshwater fish, including nine endemic genera and more than 65 endemic species, many of which are confined to single lakes. An example is Sardinella tawilis, a freshwater sardine found only in Taal Lake. Unfortunately, Lake Lanao, in Mindanao, seems to be experiencing the country's most catastrophic extinction event, with nearly all of the lake’s endemic fish species now almost certainly extinct, primarily due to the introduction of tilapia, which is an edible fish, for the expansion of the fishing industry. Other exotic species were also introduced to the lake.
Sardinella tawilis
(The freshwater sardinella, freshwater herring, or bombon sardine), is a freshwater sardine found exclusively in the Philippines. It is the only member of the genus Sardinella known to exist entirely in fresh water. Locally, they are known in Filipino as tawilis.
(The freshwater sardinella, freshwater herring, or bombon sardine), is a freshwater sardine found exclusively in the Philippines. It is the only member of the genus Sardinella known to exist entirely in fresh water. Locally, they are known in Filipino as tawilis.
Milkfish
The milkfish (Chanos chanos) is the sole living species in the family Chanidae, in which about seven extinct species in five additional genera have been reported. It is called bangús in the Philippines, where it is the national fish. Milkfish aquaculture first occurred around 800 years ago in the Philippines and spread in Indonesia, Taiwan, and into the Pacific.
The milkfish (Chanos chanos) is the sole living species in the family Chanidae, in which about seven extinct species in five additional genera have been reported. It is called bangús in the Philippines, where it is the national fish. Milkfish aquaculture first occurred around 800 years ago in the Philippines and spread in Indonesia, Taiwan, and into the Pacific.
Sinarapan
Is a species of fish in the goby family, Gobiidae, and the only member of the monotypic genus Mistichthys. It is endemic to the Philippines, where it occurs along the Bicol River and in Lakes Buhi, Bato, Katugday, and Manapao in Camarines Sur. The fish grows up to 2.5 centimeters long. It is transparent with a few dark spots and black eyes. This freshwater fish lives in lakes from the shoreline to 12 meters in depth.
Is a species of fish in the goby family, Gobiidae, and the only member of the monotypic genus Mistichthys. It is endemic to the Philippines, where it occurs along the Bicol River and in Lakes Buhi, Bato, Katugday, and Manapao in Camarines Sur. The fish grows up to 2.5 centimeters long. It is transparent with a few dark spots and black eyes. This freshwater fish lives in lakes from the shoreline to 12 meters in depth.