Amazonian Shovelnose Catfish found in Caribou Lake

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/du...l/12780845.htm


Posted on Fri, Sep. 30, 2005






Amazon catfish found in Caribou Lake

NEWS TRIBUNE


A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fish survey team recently
pulled up their net in Caribou Lake and found a shovelnose catfish native to
the Amazon River.

The fish, the only one of its kind found, survived for a few days but
eventually died. Officials say it's unlikely it reproduced in Caribou, which
is adjacent to Pike Lake.

Doug Jensen, Minnesota Sea Grant invasive species expert, said the
fish probably was released out of a local resident's aquarium, an
increasingly common problem.

While seemingly a harmless prank or thoughtless disposal, the influx
of foreign fish into local waters can be serious. Although many exotic fish
can't survive here, others can, and they could threaten local fish
populations. Non-native animals and plants can impair water quality, compete
with native species and carry diseases that may be transmitted to native
fish, Jensen said.

Last year, crews drained Rock Pond at the University of Minnesota
Duluth to get rid of goldfish and other exotic species that were
reproducing, surviving through Duluth winters and that could have moved into
a connected trout stream and Lake Superior.

Instead of dumping fish in local waters, people are asked to return
them to the pet or aquarium store where they were purchased, give them to
another aquarium owner or donate them to a school or business that has an
aquarium.

Brian Mattson, owner of Superior Aquarium in Superior, is part of a
national effort by the aquarium industry to offer proper disposal or trading
of unwanted fish. Mattson said people are welcome to call him for tips on
turning back fish.