fish threat

[nightshade]

A new invader,a japanese fish that has got into our river systems,it not only eats the eggs of our native fish but also carries a dangerous parasite.
The name of this fiend,the Topmouth Gudgeon, already in 25 rivers and lakes,
also known as the clicker barb
Who looks after our rivers? do you think they know what they are doing?

[henrya]

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The name of this fiend,the Topmouth Gudgeon, already in 25 rivers and lakes,
also known as the clicker barb
Endquote

Fiend? A bit judgmental, isn't it?

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Who looks after our rivers? do you think they know what they are doing?
Endquote

What do you suppose the Environment Agency etc can do stop people releasing non-native fish into our waterways and lakes?

henrya

[pheonix]

too true, the environment agency do an exceptional job in my opinion as many of our waterways have been improved dramatically recently but cannot police or control everything..

[nightshade]

I have a relative who works for the enviroment agency,so I am very aware of what they do .
I ask the questions in order to raise other peoples awareness, and hopefully they will want to find out who looks after our rivers

[Coops]

This fish does not seem a great addition, I have read a few things on this fish and non of which has been from a positive perspective.

Just a question to the subject auther, you say has been found in 25 rivers and lakes, do you have a list of these said waters? would very much appreciate this type of information.

Does anybody know or have any ideas on how the problem will be dealt with. It seems that it will have knock on effect for other speices, both in the water and ones outside it also.

[nightshade]

MY source was THE DAILY MAIL and the web to check it out, no waterways are named specificly,but one had its entire stock of native fish removed and was chemically sterilised that sort of drastic action usually reaches the angling papers,which could probably help you out

[henrya]

Original release near Romsey (Hants).
Still-water site near High Wycombe (Bucks)
Several locations in Staffordshire.
Still waters in Cheshire and Cumbria.

(Source: Freshwater fishes in Britain by Davies et al)

I'll try and find more detail.

henrya

[Helen]

Thanks for that Henry, I'm only 15 mins from Wycombe, would be interesting to have a wander down there.

[Shanik]

Hello,

Has this species of fish been introduced by discard from people who no longer wish to have them or from some other means?

Shanik

[henrya]

Shanik,

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Has this species of fish been introduced by discard from people who no longer wish to have them or from some other means?
Endquote

Some of the first, but some introductions may be deliberate (how nice to have anothe fish species in that lake!) and also it is now expanding naturally.

henrya