A Chinese man has been arrested for allegedly smuggling 13 armoured catfish into Australia on a Melbourne-bound flight.

The 34-year-old man arrived in Melbourne on a flight from Hong Kong on August 21 and was referred to the Australian Customs Service following a quarantine x-ray examination.

Customs officers allegedly found a cardboard box containing the live fish in plastic bags.

The fish have been identified by the environment department as specimens of the armoured catfish family (Loricariidae).

The fish were euthanased as they are a prohibited species in Australia and are regarded as a serious environmental threat.

Customs spokeswoman Kaylene Zakharoff said Australia had strict laws governing the import of live animals.

"This is a good example of customs and AQIS (the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) working together at the border to protect Australia and restrict unregulated international trade in wildlife," Ms Zakharoff said.

The man will face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court tomorrow, charged with importing a regulated live specimen under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation ACT 1999 and making a false declaration to customs.

The maximum penalty for importing a regulated specimen is 10 years' imprisonment and/or a $110,000 fine.