What is the purpose of piscicides?

Piscicides are substances specifically designed to control or eliminate fish populations, particularly pest fish that may threaten ecosystem balance or disrupt recreational fishing. They are often used in aquatic management practices to remove invasive species or to manage fish populations in freshwater bodies. By applying piscicides, environmental managers can restore native fish habitats and improve the overall health of aquatic ecosystems.

The context around this usage is crucial; for instance, piscicides can help mitigate issues caused by overpopulated or invasive fish species, allowing more desirable species to thrive. This targeted control helps maintain biodiversity and promotes the success of native fish that could be negatively impacted by competition or predation from pest fish.

In contrast, controlling insect larvae, repelling rodents, or attracting beneficial fish do not align with the definition or intended use of piscicides, which are focused solely on the management of unwanted fish species.