Lake Invaders

[Dv8oR]

*Direct Parasitic Attack

SEA LAMPREY

*A lamprey is an eel-like animal with no jaws that can live in fresh and salt water. It attaches to prey.

*Origin:A problem in the Great Lakes for more than 50 years. Native to the American and European Atlantic coasts, it may have entered the Great Lakes through canals.

Traps, sterilization, and barriers have controlled lampreys but not eliminated them.

*Length:Up to 85cm (2.8 ft)

*Environmental Threat:Lampreys attach to scales of fish and suck out body fluids, often killing the fish. Lampreys have decimated trout and whitefish populations. One lamprey can kill up to 20kg (40lb) of fish a year.

*Attack on Base of Food Chain

Spiny Water Flea

*Freshwater crustacean with barbed tail.

*Origin:First discovered in 1984; believed to have been carried in ballast water of European and Russian ships.

*Length:Slightly more than 1cm (0.4 in)

*Environmental Threat:Voracious eater that depletes plankton, the microscopic plants that are the basic food for many small fish and invertebrates.

Larger fish can eat water fleas, but small fish can't swallow them!

*Predatory feeding on Young Animals

Round Goby

*Bottom dwelling fish that uses its fused lower fins to cling to rocks.

*Origin:Black Sear; believed to have entered the Great Lakes when ships from Europe discharged their ballast water

*Length:Up to 25cm (10 in)

*Environmental Threat:Eats large amounts of young fish and eggs

*Competition for Food and Habitat

Eurasian Ruffe

*Small perch like fish with sharp spines on fill covers; primarily a bottom feeder.

*Origin:Native to northern Europe and Siberia; apparently arrived in ships' ballast water.

*Length:Up to 12cm (5 in)

*Environmental Threat:Ruffe move into an area, reproduce rapidly, deplete food supply, and drive out native fish.

They are currently endangering the lakes' populations of walleye, pike, and perch.

Have a Nice Day!

I didn't write this, some interesting reading I got in a flyer in the mail..... Just figured I'd share it with all!!!!!

Tim

Team Dv8oR