Origin: Eastern and southern
Asia
Impacts: Asian swamp eels were first introduced to
the US in Hawaii in the early 1900s. This species adapts quickly
to new environments. It has the potential to become widespread
in the U.S. and impact a variety of native aquatic and wetland
species, and eventually entire ecosystems.
The Asian swamp eel preys on a variety of animals, including
crayfish, shrimp, worms, frogs, tadpoles, and other fishes.
Asian swamp eels can survive both in hot and cold climates,
have no known predators in the U.S., can breathe air, and
can easily move across land.
Swamp eels increase their population without detection because
they are active primarily at night.
Asian swamp eels have not yet been found in Everglades National
Park, but they have been found within less than 0.5 mile from
the eastern border of the park. |
|
Monopterus albus
Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey |
