Walking Catfish Essay

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The walking catfish has become known as a notorious and harmful indigenous species on the top 100 most invasive species list (Masterson 2007). The species is so harmful that is has been blacklisted by numerous states including the state of Indiana (Brogan 2003). This species has a certain trait that allows it to work its way throughout the regions in order to invade and reproduce. Due to the species ability to walk on dry land and also to survive long periods of time without food or water, it has made its mark as an invasive species (Masterson 2007). The walking catfish has been able to invade numerous regions within the United States. In the early 1960’s, the catfish made its most known invasion in the southern regions of the peninsula of Florida. Here it began its competition with all of the other native Florida species. The species attempted many other travels throughout the United States which according to Christine Brogan (2003) …show more content…

The catfish maintains an advantage over most fish due to its ability to walk on land. This helpful adaptation comes from the pectoral spines which they flex in order to contour to their body in a walking motion. While the adaptation for land walking is impressive the ability to breathe on land is also beneficial. This ability comes from the hills of the fish which have “highly vascularized arborescent organs that act like accessory breathing structures” (Masterson 2007). Their gas bladder is also minimized to allow for stiffening so that the fish do not collapse on the land (Masterson 2007). Along with the voracious appetite of the fish they have other adaptations that make them invasive as well. The fish can survive in waters that most fish cannot such as hypoxic waters or muddy ponds. Along with being nocturnal these survival abilities allow them to invade aquaculture farms and take prey on the fish stock

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