COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Wildlife experts are warning anglers about an invasive species taking over saltwater and freshwater areas across Southwest Florida. They say Atomic Sunfish, also known as Mayan Chiclids, should be caught and kept.
They’re brown and black with stripes, looking like your average catch.
Dr. Jeff Schmid with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida said the Mayan Chiclid is bombing our waters. “They’ve become very well established and they’ve proliferated,” he said.
Dr. Schmid said the invasive species was first caught in the Everglades National Park in the early ‘80s.
“The thought is they’ve escaped from a fish farm somewhere in South Florida,” he said. “Now, you can find them in places like man-made canals, ponds, and even in the Gulf.”
Dr. Schmid said some studies show Atomic Sunfish could be omnivores.
“…When Mayan Chiclids are very abundant, in mangrove communities, the other smaller fish are less abundant,” he said.
Meanwhile, his study with Conservancy volunteer, Copley Smoak revealed that they also gnaw on mangroves. The duo believes mangroves could be a casualty after the fish feed on the mussels and snails attached.
But you won’t find them in cooler waters. That’s why in Southwest Florida, FWC encourages you to catch and keep without a bag limit.
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September 17, 2021 at 06:35AM
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Wildlife experts warn anglers about invasive fish species in SWFL waters - ABC7 News
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