Tropical ghost fish conquers Germany
Recently identified for the first time in Europe by biologists from the Chemnitz Museum of Natural History, the ghost fish is already established in German households.
Although, like most household insects, they are not particularly popular, they are omnipresent, mostly unnoticed or unrecognised. More than 470 species of the little fishes, small urine insects, have been described worldwide. Only six of them live in Germany, including the tropical ghost fish (Ctenolepisma calva).
According to the latest research by Sven Erlacher, a biologist at the Chemnitz Museum of Natural History, the ghost fish is more widespread than previously assumed. "There is now reliable evidence from homes in Saxony, Berlin, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. The ghost minnow has even been found in the centre of Vienna," says Erlacher. "This makes it clear that the tropical fish has been able to spread in human homes unnoticed by scientists."
The dainty ghost fish is whitish in colour and only grows to a maximum length of 8 mm. The animals are obviously heat-loving and have a high tolerance for dryness, which is why modern homes with underfloor heating and consistently high temperatures are favoured for colonisation. There is no cause for concern. "According to everything we know about ghost fish so far, they are completely harmless and just there," explains Sven Erlacher.
The spread of new species to Central Europe is also the theme of the current special exhibition "via regia - Road of Species" at the Museum of Natural History, which can be seen until 30 July 2017. The museum attracts visitors with a unique presentation of living ghost fish and spectacular film footage by Chemnitz animal filmmaker Reinhard Weidlich.
Photo: Museum of Natural History
modified on 28.5.2025