Abstract

This study investigates the importation of ornamental Osteoglossiformes into Korea from 2009 to 2024 using National Fishery Products Quality Management Service quarantine records and international databases (CITES, GBIF). A total of 175,797 individuals representing 42 species from six families were imported, with Mormyridae being the most diverse. Imports increased steadily over time, averaging 19.9 species and 6,746.0 individuals annually. Six species, led by Osteoglossum bicirrhosum and Scleropages formosus, accounted for nearly 80% of total imports. Two species—S. formosus (CITES Appendix I) and Arapaima gigas (Appendix II)—were identified as internationally threatened but are continuously traded. Imports originated from 16 countries, with Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Nigeria being major suppliers. Ecological risks are highlighted for large carnivorous species such as A. gigas and Chitala ornata, which have established invasive populations elsewhere, causing declines in native fish. Their potential establishment in Korean rivers, particularly those influenced by warm-water discharge, underscores the need for long-term monitoring and biosecurity measures.