INVASIVES CHANGE THE UNDERWATER WORLD - What's Down There?
– The Good Guys
Michigan’s fresh waters are home to over 150 different species of fish, plus lots of plants and other aquatic life that live naturally in balance together.
Michigan’s fresh waters are home to over 150 different species of fish, plus lots of plants and other aquatic life that live naturally in balance together.
The Bad Guys
There are also invasive species (plants and animals) that get into the fresh waters and grow so fast they take over the homes and food of the fish and plants that naturally live there.
Zebra and Quagga Mussels
43% of Michigan’s native, freshwater mussels are threatened or endangered by invasive zebra mussels and quagga mussels. These invasive mussels attach to the native mussels and suffocate them. Then they take over their food and habitat.
Rusty Crayfish
Native crayfish are at risk of being taken over by invasive rusty crayfish. The rusty crayfish eat twice as much as other crayfish and have lots of offspring – fernales lay 80-575 eggs! Plus the rusty crayfish are quick to fight, so fish that normally eat crayfish stay away from them. Before you know it, there’s no food or homes left for the native crayfish.
