T. pectoralis controls pest larvae and algae (Fernando 1989), and is believed to be beneficial for
rice plants (Ardiwinata 1957; Cagauan 1991; de
Zylva 1999) because, through grazing on aufwusch
algae, this species contributes to the release of
inorganic nutrients, thereby enriching the habitat
for primary producers (Heckman 1979). The only
competitorsforthe aufwusch are snails,so it can be
raised along with other useful ®sh species without
decreasing their yield (Heckman 1979).