Download Who let the cat out?

Altamaha flathead catfish
Did you know…
What is an
invasive species?
Look, another
BIG Appaloosa!
Historically, flathead catfish, or
Appaloosas, only occurred in
Georgia’s Northwestern corner
(Coosa River). However, flathead
populations now live in many
Georgia rivers, including the
Altamaha. Introducing fish into
non-native rivers can have
long-lasting ecological
consequences.
…. An invasive species is any
species that is not native to
an ecosystem and whose
introduction is likely to cause
economic or environmental
harm, or harm to human
health….
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Flathead catfish description
flattened head
unforked tail
Do you know these
famous invaders?
protruding lower jaw
Flathead
catfish
Green porcelain crab
Titan acorn barnacle
Snakehead
Zebra mussel
Red lionfish
Green mussel
=
Native Georgia flathead populations
(shaded blue) and areas where
they’ve been introduced (shaded red)
in Georgia
mottled colors vary from grey
to yellowish brown
Altamaha flathead catfish
THE GOOD
Although flatheads are not a native
species, they have become an important
social and economic resource by
providing food and recreation. Anglers
come from miles away to fish for these
beasts. Since they can potentially weigh
up to 100 pounds, they have also
become a valuable trophy fish.
THE BAD
THE UGLY
Flathead introductions have had
negative ecological impacts in
many areas: they have the
potential to alter the delicate
balance between predators and
their prey. Flatheads are
voracious predators known to
eat redbreast sunfish, channel
catfish, bullhead catfish, and
many others.
A face only a mother could
love: a flattened head,
yellowish skin that is mottled
with brown and green, a
lower jaw that extends
beyond the upper jaw, small
eyes, and an unforked tail.
Mussels in trouble
Mussels aren’t the flashiest
creatures in the world, so you
might not have heard that they are
now the most imperiled animals in
North America1. Many species are
declining as a result of land use
practices, damming of rivers, and
the introduction of non-native
species, such as flathead catfish in
the Altamaha River.
Rare Mussel Reproduction
(2) Successful glochidia turn
into juveniles & become free
living mussels.
…. An endemic species is
unique to its own place or
region; it is found only there,
and not found naturally
anywhere else.
(1) Eggs develop into glochidia,
(glow-kid-ee-uh) which look like PacMan. They need to find a fish and
attach to the gills or fins to survive.
Adapted from: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
The flathead
connection
Hostess
with the Mostest?
Mussels rely on specific fish to
complete their lifecycle. Baby
mussels must attach to a host
fish’s gills or fins. If they can’t
find their host, they will die.
Scientist are working to match
each fish host with the mussel
species that depends on it. While
potential fish hosts remain a
mystery, we know that flatheads
eat them all.
When invasive predators like
flathead catfish eat native fish,
this could cause big problems
for local mussels.
What is an
endemic species?
In Georgia, seven endemic mussel
species occur in the Altamaha
River Basin.
Do you know these
native mussels?
Altamaha Lance
Altamaha Spinnymussel
Altamaha slabshell
Altamaha Arc-mussel
Georgia Elephant Ear
Altamaha Pocketbook
Inflated Floater