FISH
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
Rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus
P
DESCRIPTION - Similar to golden shiner; dark grey back, silver sides, blood red fins (shiner fins are yellow); up to 14 inches; forked tail. HABITAT - Found in lakes, rivers, marshland and ponds with little current and prefer large weed beds; usually freshwater but can acclimate to brackish conditions. Native to Eurasia. LOCATION IN NEBRASKA - Identified in Harlan, Enders, McConaughy, Calamus, Sherman, Box Butte and Johnson Reservoirs. PATHWAY OF INTRODUCTION - Popular bait fish; personal aquarium dumping, escape from aquaculture pens, bait bucket release, live seafood trade, ship ballast water dumping, and other activities. Fish species are frequently introduced intentionally for recreational sportfishing. IMPACTS - Outcompete native fishes for food, can also feed on vegetation, tolerates eutrophic or polluted waters. Can hybridize with native golden shiner. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Unused bait or bait packaging should not be released into the water. Put it in a plastic bag and throw away in the trash. Be aware of any bait regulations, because in some waters, it is illegal to use live bait. Do not release or put fish into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water. Do not dump your aquarium contents into natural areas, storm drains, or flush them. Donate them, give them away, or ask your local pet store for advice. Otherwise, put unwanted aquarium fish in a plastic bag and throw away in the trash.
Nebraska Aquatic Invasive Species Pocket Guide
42