Northern Snakeheads in the Tidal Potomac River System

Odenkirk, John; Owens, Steve

doi:10.1577/t05-085.1

Cited by 27 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…A moratorium was placed on both Blueback Herring and Alewife fishing in Virginia in 2012 to reduce harvests of these species that have seen population declines along the Mid-Atlantic since the 1970s (ASMFC 2012). Another factor that plays a role in fish assemblage changes is the introduction of invasive species such as Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) and Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) in the Potomac River [30,31].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successes of Restoration and Its Effect on the Fish Community in a Freshwater Tidal Embayment of the Potomac River, USA

Mutsert¹,

Sills²,

Schlick³

et al. 2017

Preprint

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After a local pollution control plant significantly reduced phosphorus loading into a phytoplankton-dominated tributary of the Potomac River in the early 1980's, water quality and biological communities were monitored bi-weekly from April-September. After a 10-year time-lag, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), once abundant in this freshwater tidal embayment, returned to the area in 1993. After additional reductions in nitrogen load starting in 2000, the system completely switched to a SAV-dominated state in 2005. Fish abundance didn't change during these distinct phase changes, but the fish community structure did. Increases in SAV provided refuge and additional spawning substrate for species with adhesive eggs such as Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus), which is now the most abundant species in the embayment. Other changes seen were a decrease in the relative contribution of open water dwelling species such as White Perch (Morone americana), and an increase of visual predators such as Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). The 30-year record of data from this Potomac River tributary has revealed many important long-term trends that validate the effectiveness of initiatives to improve water treatment, and will aid in the continued management of the watershed and point source inputs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successes of Restoration and Its Effect on the Fish Community in a Freshwater Tidal Embayment of the Potomac River, USA

Mutsert¹,

Sills²,

Schlick³

et al. 2017

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A moratorium was placed on both Blueback Herring and Alewife fishing in Virginia in 2012 to reduce harvests of these species that have seen population declines along the mid-Atlantic area since the 1970s [34]. Another factor that plays a role in fish assemblage changes is the introduction of invasive species such as Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) and Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) in the Potomac River [37,38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successes of Restoration and Its Effect on the Fish Community in a Freshwater Tidal Embayment of the Potomac River, USA

Mutsert

Sills²,

Schlick

et al. 2017

Water

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After a local wastewater treatment plant significantly reduced phosphorus loading into a phytoplankton-dominated tributary of the Potomac River in the early 1980s, water quality and biological communities were monitored bi-weekly from April to September. After a 10-year time-lag, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), once abundant in this freshwater tidal embayment, returned to the area in 1993. After additional reductions in nitrogen load starting in 2000, the system switched to an SAV-dominated state in 2005. Fish abundance did not change during these distinct phase changes, but the fish community structure did. Increases in SAV provided refuge and additional spawning substrate for species with adhesive eggs such as Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus), which is now the most abundant species in the embayment. Other changes observed were a decrease in the relative contribution of open water dwelling species such as White Perch (Morone americana), and an increase of visual predators such as Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). The 30-year record of data from this Potomac River tributary has revealed important long-term trends that validate the effectiveness of initiatives to reduce excess nutrient inputs, and will aid in the continued management of the watershed and point-source inputs.

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“…Of these, only the northern and bullseye snakeheads are found within the continental USA. The first established northern snakehead population was initially documented in Crofton, Maryland during the summer of 2002, but the species has since become established in the Potomac River along Virginia and Maryland (Courtenay & Williams 2004, Odenkirk & Owens 2005, US Geological Survey 2009 , Pensacola as part of an investigation of the thermal physiology of this non-native species. Snakeheads were transported to UWF in a dual-hulled, fiberglass-reinforced, 2250 l tank (Model SST-150, Red Ewald).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome caused by Aphanomyces invadans in captive bullseye snakehead Channa marulius collected from south Florida, USA

Saylor¹,

Miller²,

Vandersea³

et al. 2010

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) caused by the oomycete Aphanomyces invadans is an invasive, opportunistic disease of both freshwater and estuarine fishes. Originally documented as the cause of mycotic granulomatosis of ornamental fishes in Japan and as the cause of EUS of fishes in southeast Asia and Australia, this pathogen is also present in estuaries and freshwater bodies of the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the USA. We describe a mass mortality event of 343 captive juvenile bullseye snakehead Channa marulius collected from freshwater canals in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Clinical signs appeared within the first 2 d of captivity and included petechiae, ulceration, erratic swimming, and inappetence. Histological examination revealed hyphae invading from the skin lesions deep into the musculature and internal organs. Species identification was confirmed using a species-specific PCR assay. Despite therapeutic attempts, 100% mortality occurred. This represents the first documented case of EUS in bullseye snakehead fish collected from waters in the USA. Future investigation of the distribution and prevalence of A. invadans within the bullseye snakehead range in south Florida may give insight into this pathogen-host system. KEY WORDS: Epizootic ulcerative syndrome · Mycotic dermatitis · Mycotic myositis · Non-native fish species · Oomycete · Water mold Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherDis Aquat Org 88: [169][170][171][172][173][174][175] 2010 are almost exclusively reported from wild-caught fishes (Dykstra et al. 1989, Noga et al. 1991, Blazer et al. 1999. In 1984, the first confirmed cases of EUS in the USA were documented in Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus from estuaries of North Carolina (Dykstra et al. 1986). Since 1984, fish exhibiting ulcerative lesions typical of A. invadans infection have been documented in estuaries and rivers of the Atlantic coast from Long Island to Florida (Blazer et al. 2002, Hawke et al. 2003. Most recently, Sosa et al. (2007b) documented A. invadans infection of 21 species of fish collected from estuarine and freshwater systems throughout Florida.Aphanomyces invadans is an opportunistic pathogen that can be highly invasive, gaining entry through surface wounds or an otherwise compromised mucus barrier. In challenge studies, mortality associated with EUS is high and may approach 100% (Kiryu et al. 2003, Johnson et al. 2004, Sosa et al. 2007a). Cases of EUS in snakeheads (Family: Channidae) have previously been documented in southeast Asia (Lilley et al. 1998). Treatment is only applicable to captive animals and often has limited success because some antifungal agents (e.g. malachite green and formalin) are toxic to the fish or do not penetrate the body deeply enough to reach the pathogen, which invades deep into the muscle tissue and internal organs (Campbell et al. 2001).Snakeheads are a group of freshwater, air-breathing fish, consisting of approximately 30 species in 2 genera, Channa and Parachanna. The former is ...

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Northern Snakeheads in the Tidal Potomac River System

Cited by 27 publications

References 3 publications

Successes of Restoration and Its Effect on the Fish Community in a Freshwater Tidal Embayment of the Potomac River, USA

Successes of Restoration and Its Effect on the Fish Community in a Freshwater Tidal Embayment of the Potomac River, USA

Successes of Restoration and Its Effect on the Fish Community in a Freshwater Tidal Embayment of the Potomac River, USA

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome caused by Aphanomyces invadans in captive bullseye snakehead Channa marulius collected from south Florida, USA

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