Introduced Freshwater Fishes: A Review of the North American Perspective With Emphasis on Canada

Abstract

The introduction of fishes into North America began in the late 1600's. The number of species has increased over the years, with pulses in the late 1800's and following the 1950's. By 1989, there were 45 established exotic fishes in the continental USA, and 16 in Canada. By 1989, the number brought into, invading, or transferred within Canada was 92 species plus 13 subspecies and hybrids. A special situation for Canada is the steady invasion from U.S. waters. Over the years, 38 such species have been identified. A variety of societal pressures led to the introductions, and the species introduced represent a number of realized or potential environmental impacts. Various international, national, state and provincial agencies or programmes have developed to investigate introductions and/or judge individual applications for the importation or transfer of live fishes. The number and nature of species being moved is still not well known. For Canada, 125 forms (species, hybrids, selected strains) which fit the new definition of Introduced are summarized by province and mode of introduction.

A tropical fish community in thermal waters of southern Tuscany

“…It is now found in Australia, Canada, Israel, Peru and the United States (Lachner et al 1970;Courtenay and Deacon 1983;Crossman 1991;Hill and Cichra 2005;Ortega et al 2007;Roll et al 2007;FAO 2009;Fishbase 2009). …”

Non-indigenous species in the Great Lakes: were colonization and damage to ecosystem health predictable?

“…In Canada, the legislation has not been particularly successful in preventing and controlling the introduction of undesirable species partly due to insufficient commitment by jurisdictions to enforce regulations and obtain compliance (Leach & Lewis, 1991). Despite extensive federal and state legislation, the list of introduced fish species continues to grow in the United States (Crossman, 1991). Protocols and guidelines for evaluating proposed fish introductions have been suggested (Kohler & Stanley, 1984;Li & Moyle, 1993) and, if implemented by managers, could help to minimize problems resulting from intentional introductions.…”

Aggressive interactions between the invasive Rio Grande cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) and native bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), with notes on redspotted sunfish (Lepomis miniatus)

“…Invasive species pose a significant threat to native organisms (Vitousek et al 1997), and the number of non-native species that are discovered continues to increase (Crossman 1991;Fuller et al 1999). For example, the Rio Grande cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) has been established in natural habitats and canals of the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area (GNOMA) for 20-30 years O'Connell et al 2002).…”