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| NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |
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Common Name: bitterling
Synonyms and Other Names: bitter carp, European bitterling
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification: Distinguishing characteristics were provided by Berg (1949), Moore (1968), and Page and Burr (1991). Keys were included in Berg (1949) and Moore (1968). Illustrations or photographs appeared in Berg (1949), Maitland (1977), and Axelrod et al. (1985). Another name used for this species is . Berg (1949) apparently recognized two species: R. s. amarus and R. s.Rhodeus amarus sericeus.
Size: 11 cm.
Native Range: Europe from the Seine and other rivers of France eastward to Asia Minor, and northern China (there is a very wide geographical gap in the northern part of the Asian continent separating the ranges of the two subspecies) (Berg 1949; Lee et al. 1980 et seq.).
Nonindigenous Occurrences: The first records of this species (as Rhodeus amarus) were from the Sawmill River, a tributary of the Hudson River, at Tarrytown, Westchester County, New York in the early 1920s (Dence 1925; Myers 1925; Bade 1926). Although Breder (1933) claimed it disappeared from this locality shortly after 1925, additional specimens were taken in subsequent years (Greeley 1937), with the last collection made in 1951 (Schmidt et al. 1981). Two specimens were taken from the Bronx River at Bronxville, Westchester County, New York, in 1933 (Greeley 1937); subsequent collections indicated the species was established in a localized reach of the river (Lee et al. 1980 et seq.; Schmidt et al. 1981; Schmidt and Samaritan 1984; Smith 1985).
Means of Introduction: Probable aquarium release (Myers 1925; Bade 1926; Lee et al. 1980 et. seq.; Schmidt et al. 1981).
Status: Established in the Bronx River, New York, since at least the early 1930s (Greeley 1937; Schmidt et al. 1981; Smith 1985). Previously established and abundant in Sawmill River, New York; that population is assumed to be extirpated (Schmidt et al. 1981).
Impact of Introduction: Unknown.
Remarks: Rhodeus requires freshwater bivalves as spawning sites; eggs are deposited, fertilized, and hatch in live mussels. Laboratory evidence has shown that this European fish will use certain U.S. native mussels (Anadonta cataracta and Unio complanatus) (Breder 1933). The reported recent decline in population of bitterling in the Bronx River apparently has resulted from a declining freshwater mussel population brought about by water pollution (R. Schmidt to Courtenay, personal communication).
Voucher specimens: New York (AMNH 39116, 39117, 42444; CU 5112, 23611, 26823, NYSM 11744, 11746).
Other Resources:
FishBase Fact Sheet
Author: Leo Nico and Pam Fuller
Revision Date: 12/5/2003 Citation for this information:
Leo Nico and Pam Fuller. 2009. Rhodeus sericeus. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=643> Revision Date: 12/5/2003
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