Photo/Illutration A red swamp crayfish (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Two creatures beloved by schoolchildren across Japan will no longer be imported, sold or allowed to be released into the wild from June.

The ban applies to red swamp crayfish and the slider turtle under an order approved by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Jan. 20.

It reflects growing concern about damage to ecosystems by non-native species.

The animals, which are commonly raised at schools and sold at local fairs, have voracious appetites that have caused immense damage to local ecosystems.

The red swamp crayfish was introduced to Japan in 1927 as feed for farmed edible frogs. The crustacean propagated vigorously in Japanese rice paddies that closely resemble its native Louisiana swamp habitat.

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Captured red swamp crayfish (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The slider turtle was brought into Japan in the mid-20th century.

It is estimated that around 650,000 households are raising red swamp crayfish while 1.1 million households keep pet slider turtles. To get a sense of the challenge facing the authorities, this works out to around 5.4 million red swamp crayfish and about 1.6 million slider turtles.

The Environment Ministry has determined the red swamp crayfish poses a menace to nine insect species, seven fish species, three amphibian species and 10 plants that are all considered endangered.

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A slider turtle (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Slider turtles compete with native turtle species for sunlight and are known to destroy farm products such as lotus root and rice plants.

The ban will cover not only importing and selling the animals, but also raising large numbers with the intent of distributing the creatures, as well as releasing the animals into the wild. Families can still raise the animals at home.

Violators will face a maximum prison sentence of three years or a maximum fine of 3 million yen ($23,000).

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