NEPTUNE, N.J. — Coastal communities around the world are adding a tropical twist to shoreline protection, courtesy of the humble coconut.
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Asian carp aren’t the only aquatic invaders to worry about. Here are 14 more
Asian Swamp Eel
Native to: Asia.
Date of U.S. introduction: According to invasivespeciesinfo.gov, they were detected in the early 1900s (Hawaii); Mid-1990s (Continental U.S.)
Means of introduction:Â Imported as a food source and for the aquarium trade.
Impact:Â Competes with native species.
Bighead Carp
Native to: China.
Date of U.S. introduction: 1973.
Means of introduction: Imported for aquaculture and for phytoplankton control.
Impact: Not adequately known, but may lead to reductions in populations of native species that rely on plankton for food, including all larval fishes, some adult fishes, and native mussels
Black Carp
Native to: Asia.
Date of U.S. introduction: Early 1970s.
Means of introduction: First introduced as a "contaminant" in imported grass carp stocks; later introduced as a food fish and biological control agent.
Impact: Native aquatic communities by feeding on, and reducing, populations of native mussels and snails, many of which are considered endangered or threatened
Bullfrog
Native to: Central and Eastern U.S.
Date of U.S. introduction: First introduced to the Western U.S. in the early 1900s.
Means of introduction: Accidentally introduced during trout stockings; also introduced through the aquarium trade and for sport and pest control.
Impact: Competes with and preys on native species
Cane Toad
Native to: South America, Central America, Mexico, and extreme southern Texas
Date of U.S. introduction: First introduced to Florida by 1936.
Means of introduction: Originally introduced to control sugar cane pests; has also been accidentally and intentionally released by animal importers, zoos, and laboratories.
Impact: Preys on and competes with native species; highly toxic to predators (including pets)
Eurasian Ruffe
Native to: Northern Europe and Asia.
Date of U.S. introduction: 1986.
Means of introduction: Possibly via ballast water.
Impact: Competes with and preys on native species
Flathead Catfish
Native to: Mississippi and Gulf drainages.
Date of U.S. introduction: Stocked to non-native waters beginning in 1950s.
Means of introduction: Intentionally stocked in rivers and holding ponds.
Impact: Preys on native species
Lionfish
Native to: Western Pacific Ocean.
Date of U.S. introduction: 1980s.
Means of introduction: Aquarium trade.
Impact: Preys on native species; has venomous spines
Nile Perch
Native to: Africa.
Date of U.S. introduction: August 1975.
Means of introduction: Intentionally introduced to Texas for sport fishing.
Impact: Was introduced to Lake Victoria (Africa) in 1954, where it destroyed 200 native species of fish through predation and competition for food; no negative impact in Texas so far as the species is still controlled
Nutria
Native to: South America.
Date of U.S. introduction: First established populations introduced in the 1930s.
Means of introduction: Introduced for fur production.
Impact: Damages vegetation and destroys habitat in wetlands
Red-Bellied Pacu
Native to: South America.
Date of U.S. introduction: Individual specimens have been caught since the 1960s, but no reproducing populations have yet become established in the U.S.
Means of introduction: Probably through aquarium releases or fish farm escapes.
Impact: Environmental impact is unknown
Red-Eared Slider
Native to: Mississippi River drainage.
Date of U.S. introduction: Earliest releases occurred during the 1930s.
Means of Introduction: Pet releases and escapes.
Impact: Competes with native turtle species
Sea Lamprey
Native to: Atlantic Ocean.
Date of U.S. introduction: First discovered in Lake Ontario in 1835 (though whether or not it is native to Lake Ontario is disputed); first discovered in Lake Erie in 1921.
Means of introduction: Spread into the Great Lakes through the Welland Canal.
Impact: Preys on native species
Round Goby
Native to: Eurasia.
Date of U.S. introduction: First discovered in 1990.
Means of introduction: Ballast water.
Impact: Competes with and preys on native species
