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The
state of Maryland has been dealing with an invader.
This invader is capable of consuming prey up to one-third its size,
and poses a threat to native species. The northern snakehead, a fast-growing
fish with a mouth full of sharp teeth and the ability to survive without
water for 3 days was discovered in a pond. Someone had purchased several
of the fish at a market, intending to make soup. The unused fish were
dumped in a pond where they not only survived, but thrived and bred.
The pond was eventually poisoned to eradicate the fish (and all other
life within it). Ironically, this move was supported by the People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Snakehead species have been found in California, Hawaii, Florida, Maine,
Massachusetts and Rhode Island. There are laws in at least 13 states
that ban possession of live snakeheads, though they are easily obtained
in Boston and New York fish markets.
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Some of
Missouri's Introduced Species
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| Carp
Grass Carp
Goldfish
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Muskellunge
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Zebra
Mussel
Asian Clam
Woodland Crayfish
Eurasian Water Milfoil
Daphnia Lumbholzi
Dutch Elm Disease
West Nile Virus |
Freshwater
Jellyfish
Purple Loosestrife
Gypsy Moth
Starlings
House Sparrow
Ring-Necked Pheasant
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While infestations of snakeheads are a threat to existing populations
of native fish, another Asian fish has already become so entrenched
in Missouri culture that we often forget it’s an invader. This
fish is so insidious that it has even convinced many of us to not only
purchase food for it, but to hand feed it as well! You can often find
rogue gangs of these fish hanging about the marinas on larger lakes,
practically demanding a hand-out. Of course I’m talking about
Cyprinus carpio, the common carp.
Originally from Asia, the common carp was introduced to Europe hundreds
of years ago. The Europeans brought carp to the US in 1876, and to Missouri
in 1879. According to The Fishes of Missouri by William Pflieger, the
Missouri Fish Commission raised 80,000 carp for distribution in Missouri
before the program was discontinued in 1895.
Common carp have been blamed for out-competing native species for resources,
eating the eggs of native fish, consuming aquatic vegetation (which
degrades native fish habitat), and increasing turbidity. Though carp
can be useful as a source of food , fertilizer, or (believe it or not)
leather, they are not universally appreciated in North America.
Tony Thorpe
click here
for more information
Back to
the Fall 2002 Water Line
Brought to you by the Lakes of
Missouri Volunteer Program |
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