Introduced invasive species are a problem for sure and it seems to be getting worse, not better. They usually displace and/or destroy the native species and have no natural predators so their numbers quickly get out of hand. There are a number of ways they get into the water system some unintentional and some intentional. Either way the State of Florida pays for it. Miami Metro Dade in South Florida seems to be the worst about it. Fortunately for the rest of the state most of the invasive species that get into the state water system can’t survive above the the Southern tip of Florida due to colder weather northward. The only intentional species I know of that were introduced was the Peacock (Butterfly) Bass and Grass Carp I think (check FWC web-site). That’s it. All the rest are here illegally and there are a lot. I have caught a Mayan Cichlid before that was a little too far north last season because of the unusually hot water temperature but they just can’t survive the cold up here this far north.
FWC Fish ID (native and non-native species):
[url=http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/index.html:31438]http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/index.html[/url:31438]
Mayan Cichlid:
[url=http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/non-native.html#mayan:31438]http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/non-native.html#mayan[/url:31438]
We have an invasive foreign snail threat to our lakes that occurred in Polk County. It seems an exotic fish farm was responsible for the accident but the snails will probably move southward. Our lakes will most likely have to be reconstituted after the snails have eaten all the vegitation. I posted on this earlier in this forum and you can find it in the archives.
Like most other exotic invasive species in this state, I don’t think snakeheads can survive cold weather so they will most likely stay south. If the FWC can’t eradicate them, they may just let them “run their course” so their food supply dries up and they die, then reconstitution can begin. I’m just guessing, its best to contact the FWC to find out about them. I haven’t seen anything on the web-site yet about snakeheads but it might be there somewhere. There is not much that I know you can do about it except campaign against invasive species in your local government and educate others to the dangers of releasing foreign species into the state.
FWC main site:
[url=http://www.myfwc.com/:31438]http://www.myfwc.com/[/url:31438]
I found it. Snakehead:
[url=http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/non-native.html#SNAKEHEAD:31438]http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/non-native.html#SNAKEHEAD[/url:31438]
Bad news for the southern half of the state. They really don’t know what the long-term effects of the snakehead on native species will be.
“There is relatively little information on the life histories and ecology of most fish species from tropical Asia,” Shafland said. " As a result, useful information about how these fishes may interact with native species is sparse and some of it, especially in older sources, is suspect. Snakeheads have been described as being extremely aggressive and voracious, but based on our personal observations the species collected in Florida appears to be one of the less aggressive species of snakeheads. “Our initial stomach content evaluations showed that more than 50 percent of their food consisted of crayfish,” said Kelly Gestring, an FWC research scientist at Boca Raton.“Now that could in the long run have an effect on other species that feed on crayfish, but it’s far too early to know what, if any effects this new exotic fish will ultimately have.” When forced to speculate on what effects the snakehead might have on native fishes, Shafland said that, “If there are any effects, these would most likely involve the bowfin (mudfish) since snakehead and bowfin share more than just general appearances. Both of these species are also predators that seem to have similar habitat and food preferences, and both can utilize air to survive in waters with little to no oxygen.” Some of the literature on the snakeheads suggest this fish can reach lengths of four feet, although Shafland is skeptical.
“Obviously we need to do more to educate the public about the serious ecological consequences that the illegal release of exotic species represent.” Shafland pointed out that once a fish species is reproducing in the open water systems of south Florida, it is impossible to eradicate them. Preventing the illegal introduction of exotics in the first place is really the only viable tactic along with educating anglers, aquarists, and others about the illegality of dumping and/or transferring exotic fish from one water body to another.The Boca Raton scientist stated that the cooperation and assistance of knowledgeable anglers in identifying exotics is invaluable. “Our agency just doesn’t have the staff and the resources to monitor every square foot of fresh water contained in Florida’s numerous lakes, streams, rivers, canals, and impoundments,” he said. “Anglers are often the first to detect the presence of an exotic fish, and we often depend on their reports.” Since the first snakehead was caught in October, FWC scientists at the Boca Lab have initiated a comprehensive effort to determine their distribution, relative abundance, temperature tolerance, and associations with native fish. Food habits, habitat preferences, and reproduction will also be closely studied. Shafland praised Newland for taking the time and effort to report catching what appeared to be a rather strange looking bowfin.“Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes once an exotic fish begins reproducing and these studies will require several years to complete,” Shafland said. "We have already completed some preliminary temperature tolerance studies that indicate this snakehead cannot live in water temperatures below 50 degrees. “This is good news and bad news,” he said. “The good news is that snakeheads will be largely limited to the southern half of Florida due to lower winter temperatures farther north. The bad news is that much of southern Florida likely provides suitable habitat for this undesirable fish to establish a permanent home in.”
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 14 November 2005).]