Canada (BN24) – An invasive fish species capable of surviving out of water for extended periods has been discovered in Eastern Canada, setting off concerns among scientists about potential threats to native wildlife and ecosystems.
The Oriental Weatherfish, an eel-like species also known as the pond loach, was identified last month in a Nova Scotia waterway by Canada’s Department of Oceans. According to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council, the fish was spotted near the village of New Germany in the Morgan Falls fishway on the LeHave River. A resident who encountered the unusual fish reported it to authorities, leading to its confirmation.
The council announced the discovery in a statement on May 16, warning that this is the first documented occurrence of the Oriental Weatherfish in the Maritimes, which includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Experts say the species poses a serious ecological threat if it becomes established.
“Oriental Weatherfish pose a significant threat when introduced to native ecosystems,” the council said in a 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 harmful to wildlife and humans.”
The fish, native to parts of Eastern Asia stretching from Siberia to northern Vietnam and Japan, is commonly sold in the aquarium trade. Officials believe the specimen in Nova Scotia was illegally released into the wild. The individual fish was reported to be carrying eggs, raising fears it could already be reproducing in the waterway.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Oriental Weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) typically grow to lengths of 3 to 7 inches, though some specimens can reach 11 inches. What makes the species especially difficult to eradicate is its ability to endure harsh conditions by breathing through its intestine. This adaptation allows it to survive in oxygen-poor waters, bury itself in mud or silt, and tolerate prolonged droughts.
Researchers have found that the fish can survive without water and endure starvation for more than 81 days, a level of resilience that alarms biologists monitoring the spread of invasive species in North America.
Though this is the first confirmed case in Atlantic Canada, Oriental Weatherfish have already established populations in over a dozen U.S. states, including Hawaii, where they have disrupted native fish communities.
Officials are urging residents not to release aquarium species into local waterways and to report any sightings of the fish to regional authorities. Environmental experts warn that if the population takes hold in Eastern Canada, it could prove extremely difficult to remove, posing long-term challenges to biodiversity and ecosystem health.
usatoday.com
