snakeheads

[Raskolnikov]

They really dont get big enough to cause any harm.

The severity of the introduction of non-native aliens to waterways is not related in any way to their size, but to the problem of having no natural predators in a system which allows their numbers to soar. Think of the Zebra Mussels, or even the introduction of MTS into an aquarium with no snail-eating species.

I certainly don't agree with the blanket legislation, however. The only species of snakehead that really stands a chance of establishing itself in my area would be the northern snakehead. I feel that it would have been better to place a ban on these here, and not the other species that require warmer water to survive. Much like it is illegal to own a freshwater stingray in some states, but not in NJ. They wouldn't survive our winters, and I would love to have one of the smaller species, myself.

I don't make these decisions, though.

 

[TKOS]

Some paces int he states even ban White Cloud Minnows, hardly prolific or aggressive fish but certainly can withstand cold winters and would hurt local populations through compitetion for similar resources.

 

[blitzen25bm]

yea anything not native shouldnt be out in the wild

 

[Analog Saint]

I'm from Maryland, and people here froth at the mouth about snakeheads, simply because the protection agencies fight tooth and nail to try and keep the Chesapeake Bay watershed as unadulterated as possible. The Snakeheads apparently are very capable of outcompeting native species, and really threaten to put the watershed ecosystem into chaos. Even after tributaries were poisoned and drained, the viable snakehead population still remains, and continued efforts are costing taxpayers loads of money.

Just like in Florida, there's stable populations of Gouramis, Cichlids, and many other non-native species that shouldn't ever exist here. They only exist because some foolish owner released them to multiply into a new, supportive habitat, rather than returning them, or as a last resort, have them euthanized. I also have heard stories about Florida having a scare with a viable population of piranhas thanks to a careless release of a breeding population into the wild... However, I dunno if they're still a stable population in the state.

Yes, euthanizing a fish because someone bought it completely ignorant of its needs is harsh, but it preserves our native species and ecosystems. I understand having ponds and such, but people must be very vigilant and responsible with the hobby.