Where is the round goby originally from

Gobies have large heads, soft bodies, and dorsal fins lacking spines; they slightly resemble large tadpoles. The gobies' unique feature is their fused pelvic bottom fins, which form a suctorial disk that aids in anchoring the fish to the substrate. Young round gobies are a solid slate gray; larger individuals have blotches of black and brown over their bodies, and their dorsal fin may be tinged with green.

Why are round gobies a problem? The round goby can displace native fish from prime habitat and spawning areas. Round gobies eat the eggs and young of other fish species. Have a competitive advantage over other species because of the ability to survive in poor quality water. How do round gobies spread? The round goby was first brought to North America in ballast water. They may be spread to other waters by aquatic users. How do we control round gobies? Learn to identify the round goby. Always drain water from your boat, livewell, and bilge before leaving any water access.

Always dispose of your unwanted bait on land or in the trash. They are penetrated tributary systems such as Black Ash Creek in Collingwood. Round goby are present in the Nottawasaga River at least as far upstream as Angus and are present in the lower reaches of the Pine River. These bottom-dwelling fish are aggressive feeders and can spawn multiple times each year, which has allowed them to spread so quickly. They tend to feed on insects, other small organisms, zebra and quagga mussels, and sometimes even on eggs of sport fish like bass and walleye.

Once the zebra and quagga mussels populations were established in the Great Lakes, the round goby had an abundance of food leading to an increased survival rate.

Native fish species are now being out-competed for habitat and food. It is important that everyone contributes by preventing the introduction of Round Goby into new lakes.

Round gobies are also prolific breeders, spawning every 20 days during the spawning season. A link has been suggested between round gobies and the recent outbreaks of Type E avian botulism on Lakes Erie and Ontario. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there.

For more information, please visit iMapInvasives. Round gobies are problematic to anglers in that gobies are proficient bait thieves.