Despite being a wholly unsuitable aquarium subject, C. idella is often traded as such, with an albino form having been developed specifically for the ornamental market.

Individuals which have outgrown their aquarium or pond should never be released into natural waters, either, since this species has proven capable of causing serious environmental damage under a wide range of climatic conditions.

Occurs naturally in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina with feral populations in Australia, New Zealand, Ethiopia and Malawi which were purportedly introduced for purposes of mosquito control but are now considered invasive.

Following Lucinda (2008) its natural range comprises the Lagoa dos Patos system, lower rio Uruguai, rio Tramandaí, and rio Mampituba in Rio Grande do Sul st…