Nonindigenous Fishes Introduced into Inland Waters of the United States

Reporting Problems and Requests for Information

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781888569148.ch10

Positive identification of a nonindigenous fish species is an essential first step in determining its status and predicting potential negative effects. Positive identification is also critical for the successful prevention, containment, and control of any nonindigenous nuisance fish species. Unfortunately, there has been considerable confusion surrounding the identification of some introduced fish species, especially many that are of foreign origin. Examples of particularly problematic groups include the tilapias, foreign poeciliids, some members of the genera Coregonus and Hypostomus, and the pacus and piranhas, among others. In cases involving hybrids and back-crosses there is an added dimension of confusion.