The armored catfish, (Pterysoplichthys muliradiatus), is native to Trinidad, was imported to Florida, for the aquarium pet trade market. This fish is used in aquariums to keep the bottoms of the tanks clean.
However, this exotic fish has escaped or been set free in the Florida, waterways.
This fish is causing severe erosion problems in the rivers and canals, and lakes all over the state. The banks become unstable and can collape without warning, making walking in that area very dangerous. The fish burrow into the dirt banks, from 2 to 4 feet, then lays it's eggs. It comes out at night to feed.
It has no natural predators in Florida, and it is said that raccoons and otters, refuse to eat them because of their aromor-like scales. Some game wardens have said that bears love to eat them.
They breed fast and in some areas are found in great numbers. They is no limit on the amount of them that can be killed and so many have been hunted by bow hunters.
Ram, if you read this could you add more knowledge about this fish, or a picture of it, since it is a aquarium fish? Anyone else with information or comments about this fish please share here.
|