Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the freshwater fish community at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Thus far, six cast net surveys were conducted in canals and ponds on main campus. Fishes werer released after total length, weight, and species identification were recorded. Water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were also measured at the sample sites. Preliminary results revealed a total of 109 fishes of 10 species from five families were recorded. A total of six native species was identified. The most abundant native species was the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), which made up 40% of the natives recorded, but only six individuals were caught over the study period. The remaining natives included the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula), and the florida gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus). The most abundant fish species overall was the exotic spotted tilapia (Tilapia mariae) at 53 individuals. Shockingly, 85% of the total catch consisted of exotic, invasive species. The other exotic species recorded were blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), Mayan cichlid (Cichlasoma urophthalmus) and sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys batrachus). Invasive species are known to displace native and thrive in degraded urbanized canals. Exotic cichlid species, which include three of the invasive species in our study, are known to have a similar ecological role as Florida's native sunfishes and may be impacting their local abundance.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Paul Arena
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-4-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 5:30 PM
Fishing for Answers: NSU's Freshwater Fish Community
Alvin Sherman Library
The purpose of this study was to assess the freshwater fish community at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Thus far, six cast net surveys were conducted in canals and ponds on main campus. Fishes werer released after total length, weight, and species identification were recorded. Water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were also measured at the sample sites. Preliminary results revealed a total of 109 fishes of 10 species from five families were recorded. A total of six native species was identified. The most abundant native species was the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), which made up 40% of the natives recorded, but only six individuals were caught over the study period. The remaining natives included the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula), and the florida gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus). The most abundant fish species overall was the exotic spotted tilapia (Tilapia mariae) at 53 individuals. Shockingly, 85% of the total catch consisted of exotic, invasive species. The other exotic species recorded were blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), Mayan cichlid (Cichlasoma urophthalmus) and sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys batrachus). Invasive species are known to displace native and thrive in degraded urbanized canals. Exotic cichlid species, which include three of the invasive species in our study, are known to have a similar ecological role as Florida's native sunfishes and may be impacting their local abundance.
