Latest news with #OrientalWeatherfish
USA Today
28-06-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Invasive fish that can survive out of water found in Canada, alarming scientists
An invasive species of fish that can live out of water for short periods of time and can carry dangerous pathogens has been found in Eastern Canada, alarming experts. The Oriental Weatherfish was discovered in a Nova Scotia waterway and confirmed by the Department of Oceans Canada last month. The Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council said in a May 16 statement that the discovery was thanks to a person who spotted the eel-like fish and reported it to authorities. The council said this is the first time the invasive species has been seen in the Maritimes region − which includes Canada's New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. More: 'Put them on the menu': Americans should eat more of these invasive animals, officials say "Oriental Weatherfish pose a significant threat when introduced to native ecosystems," the council said in its social media post. "They reduce aquatic insect biodiversity, compete with native fish species for food and spawning habitat, and are known to carry parasites and pathogens that are harmful to both wildlife and humans." The fish is a common aquarium species, and experts believe it was introduced into the ecosystem when it was illegally released into the wild. Officials told CBC that a single egg-bearing fish was found in the Morgan Falls fishway of LeHave River near New Germany, a village in Nova Scotia. More: Fire ants evolve into a fearsome hybrid: 'Anything can really happen' Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, also called a pond loach, averages 3 to 7 inches in length but has been measured up to 11 inches long, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. They're native to Eastern Asia, found from Siberia to northern Vietnam, including Japan, and can survive for short periods of time without water. The fish uses its intestine as an accessory respiratory organ to breathe air, enabling it to live in oxygen-poor waters and bury itself in muddy or silty environments to survive long droughts. Scientists who have studied the species found it can "withstand desiccation and starvation for more than 81 days," USGS says, making it very tolerant to extreme conditions. Though native to Asia, the invasive species has been found in over a dozen states across the U.S., including Hawaii. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts issue warning about invasive fish that can survive out of water
An invasive species of fish that can live out of water has been found lurking in Canada, experts warn. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed reports of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus -- also known as the Oriental Weatherfish or the pond loach -- in the LaHave River near New Germany, Nova Scotia. This is the first time the species, which can survive on land, has been observed in the wild in the Maritimes region in eastern Canada, according to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council. MORE: Florida biologists prove invasive Burmese pythons are swallowing deer, alligators whole The invasive species poses a "significant threat" when introduced to native ecosystems, officials said. The pond loach can reduce aquatic insect biodiversity and compete with native fish species for food and spawning habitat. They are also known to carry parasites and pathogens that are harmful to both wildlife and humans, according to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council. The pond loach is a common aquarium species and likely was released into the ecosystem, which is illegal in Canada, officials said. It has a long, eel-like body and can grow to nearly 10 inches in length. The species typically lives in shallow freshwater ecosystems with muddy or silty floors. MORE: Invasive ocean species detected in Florida waters, scientists say They can survive on land for short periods due to their ability to breathe air and tolerate low-oxygen conditions, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The species can propagate quickly because they are asexual and can breed young on their own. The specimen that was found was a single egg-carrying female, according to reports. "We don't know if there are any others," Ken Donnelly, the supervisor of the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council, told the Chronicle Herald, a newspaper based in Halifax. "We certainly hope not." Its presence was reported as a result of citizen science, according to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council. A witness entered an account into iNaturalist, a scientific organization that helps to identify species, officials said. MORE: Northern snakehead fish, invasive species that can survive on land, found in Georgia The global economic cost of invasive species over the past 60 years has amounted to about $35 billion annually -- a similar figure to the global costs of extreme weather events attributable to climate change, according to a paper published last month in Nature Ecology & Evolution. North America has likely experienced a cumulative loss of $285 billion in the last six decades as a result of invasive species, the researchers said. Invasive plant species such as the butterfly bush, the water hyacinth and water primrose were found to be the group resulting in the highest total estimated cost over the past 60 years, at $926.38 billion, according to the paper. Arthropods and mammals had the next-highest estimated costs, at $830.29 billion and $263.35 billion, respectively. In addition, biological invasions have contributed to about 60% of recorded global extinctions, the researchers said.
23-06-2025
- Science
Experts issue warning about invasive fish that can survive out of water
An invasive species of fish that can live out of water has been found lurking in Canada, experts warn. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed reports of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus -- also known as the Oriental Weatherfish or the pond loach -- in the LaHave River near New Germany, Nova Scotia. This is the first time the species, which can survive on land, has been observed in the wild in the Maritimes region in eastern Canada, according to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council. The invasive species poses a "significant threat" when introduced to native ecosystems, officials said. The pond loach can reduce aquatic insect biodiversity and compete with native fish species for food and spawning habitat. They are also known to carry parasites and pathogens that are harmful to both wildlife and humans, according to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council. The pond loach is a common aquarium species and likely was released into the ecosystem, which is illegal in Canada, officials said. It has a long, eel-like body and can grow to nearly 10 inches in length. The species typically lives in shallow freshwater ecosystems with muddy or silty floors. They can survive on land for short periods due to their ability to breathe air and tolerate low-oxygen conditions, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The species can propagate quickly because they are asexual and can breed young on their own. The specimen that was found was a single egg-carrying female, according to reports. "We don't know if there are any others," Ken Donnelly, the supervisor of the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council, told the Chronicle Herald, a newspaper based in Halifax. "We certainly hope not." Its presence was reported as a result of citizen science, according to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council. A witness entered an account into iNaturalist, a scientific organization that helps to identify species, officials said. The global economic cost of invasive species over the past 60 years has amounted to about $35 billion annually -- a similar figure to the global costs of extreme weather events attributable to climate change, according to a paper published last month in Nature Ecology & Evolution. North America has likely experienced a cumulative loss of $285 billion in the last six decades as a result of invasive species, the researchers said. Invasive plant species such as the butterfly bush, the water hyacinth and water primrose were found to be the group resulting in the highest total estimated cost over the past 60 years, at $926.38 billion, according to the paper. Arthropods and mammals had the next-highest estimated costs, at $830.29 billion and $263.35 billion, respectively.
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Invasive fish captured in N.S. is first of such species found in Atlantic Canada
NEW GERMANY - Fisheries and Oceans Canada says an invasive type of fish called a pond loach has been found in Nova Scotia, marking the first such finding in Atlantic Canada. A single, egg-bearing, female Oriental Weatherfish, or pond loach, was found in Morgans Falls, near New Germany, N.S., the federal department said in an emailed statement Monday. Fisheries and Oceans Canada said the fish species is native to eastern Asia, and that the one captured on April 29 was likely introduced to Nova Scotia after being released from an aquarium. Invasive species, such as the pond loach, are a problem because of the disruption they can cause to habitats and ecosystems. Pond loach can reproduce quickly, and once the fish is established in a new habitat, it may compete with native species for food, or prey on them directly. Releasing any aquatic species into a body of water where it is not native, unless authorized by federal, provincial or territorial law, is illegal under the federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. 'To help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, do not let loose any aquatic species into a new body of water, down the drain, or into the sewers,' reads the statement from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The pond loach is brown or dark green with dark scattered speckles and a light-coloured underside. It has a long, cylindrical, eel-like body, that can measure between 10 and 25 centimetres in length. The fish also has between six and eight barbels, or whiskers, around its mouth. The fish prefer slow-moving, muddy or silty habitats, but the can survive in a range of environmental conditions. The pond loach has also been reported in southern British Columbia, the federal department said, but is not known to occur anywhere else in Canada. The DFO said it has not received any other reports of this species in Nova Scotia, and there are no loach species that are native to the province. If anyone suspects they have seen a pond loach, the DFO is asking them to report it, with pictures, if possible, to its aquatic invasive species division. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025. — By Lyndsay Armstrong in Halifax.
National Observer
26-05-2025
- Science
- National Observer
Invasive fish captured in NS is first of such species found in Atlantic Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada says an invasive type of fish called a pond loach has been found in Nova Scotia, marking the first such finding in Atlantic Canada. A single, egg-bearing, female Oriental Weatherfish, or pond loach, was found in Morgans Falls, near New Germany, N.S., the federal department said in an emailed statement Monday. Fisheries and Oceans Canada said the fish species is native to eastern Asia, and that the one captured on April 29 was likely introduced to Nova Scotia after being released from an aquarium. Invasive species, such as the pond loach, are a problem because of the disruption they can cause to habitats and ecosystems. Pond loach can reproduce quickly, and once the fish is established in a new habitat, it may compete with native species for food, or prey on them directly. Releasing any aquatic species into a body of water where it is not native, unless authorized by federal, provincial or territorial law, is illegal under the federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. "To help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, do not let loose any aquatic species into a new body of water, down the drain, or into the sewers," reads the statement from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The pond loach is brown or dark green with dark scattered speckles and a light-coloured underside. It has a long, cylindrical, eel-like body, that can measure between 10 and 25 centimetres in length. The fish also has between six and eight barbels, or whiskers, around its mouth. The fish prefer slow-moving, muddy or silty habitats, but the can survive in a range of environmental conditions. The pond loach has also been reported in southern British Columbia, the federal department said, but is not known to occur anywhere else in Canada. The DFO said it has not received any other reports of this species in Nova Scotia, and there are no loach species that are native to the province. If anyone suspects they have seen a pond loach, the DFO is asking them to report it, with pictures, if possible, to its aquatic invasive species division.
