Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A species commonly raised in aquaculture for food. Photo: Pam Fuller, USGS
According to the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, more than 700 fish species have been introduced into the United States. They are introduced in a variety of ways: intentional stocking for sport, food, or biocontrol; aquarium releases, bait releases, ballast water discharge, and through canals that connect formerly unconnected waterways.
Use the links below to find more information or see our pages on specific species
Fishbase (go to Information by Country/Island and select "Introduced")
FishBase
FishBase is an authoritative, highly inclusive website for everything you'd want to know about fish species. The site boasts 29,400 species, 42,600 photos, and 38,600 references.
Users can search by name, geographic location, ecosystem, and a variety of topics - including invasiveness and and introduced status.
Information is available on taxonomy, size, physiological tolerances, uses, distribution (including mapping capability), morphology, biology and much more!
Habitattitude Campaign
A campaign geared towards aquarium hobbyists, backyard pond owners, water gardeners and others. Habitattitude TM is about consumer awareness and responsible behaviors. By drawing attention to the potential environmental ramifications of the aquarium and water garden hobbies while promoting responsible consumer behaviors, Habitattitude TM avoids the definition debate surrounding "invasive species." Ultimately, the campaign seeks to eliminate the transfer and survival of any species outside of your enclosed, artificial system, which has the potential to cause the loss or decline of native plants and animals.
Species Spotlight
John Randall, Hawaii Bishop Museum
Lionfish Pterois volitans
Description:Distinctive red, maroon and white stripes; fleshy tentacles above eyes and below mouth; fan-like pectoral fin; long separated dorsal spines. This species can give a painful, venomous sting with its dorsal, anal and pelvic spines.
Distribution:Native range is Indo-Pacific: western Australia and Malaysia to the Marquesas Island and Oeno (Pitcairn Group); north to southern Japan and southern Korea; south to Lord Howe, Kermadec, and Austral Island; throughout Micronesia.
Lionfish have been reported along the east coast of the United States from Florida to Massachusetts.
Status:The large numbers of individuals, the the fact that juveniles have been found indicate this species is reproducing.
* scientific and common names * references to aid in species identification * maximum size for adults * native range nonindigenous occurrences * means of introduction * reproductive status and persistence * impacts from introduction * voucher specimens for foreign species * remarks * range map * reported occurrences
Species Spotlight
Johnny Jensen
Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus
Description:Sea lampreys are eel-like fish with a sucker mouth.
Life History:Sea lampreys are parasites. They suction their mouths onto other fish, feeding on the blood and fluids of their host. The introduction of sea lampreys has been linked to the decline of many native fish in the Great Lakes.
Distribution:Native to coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean and ascend freshwater rivers to spawn.
They have spread to all the Great Lakes since the opening of the Welland Canal in 1921 (map).
Description:The round goby is a small, bottom-dwelling fish. They are gray with blotches of black and brown over their bodies, dorsal fin may be tinged with green, the front dorsal fin has a distinctive large black spot.
Distribution:Native to Black and Caspian Seas.
Round gobies were first discovered in the St. Clair River in 1990, and since then have been found in Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, throughout the Great Lakes, inland Ontario, the Pefferlaw River and Lake Simcoe (map).
