Eerie holes are cropping up on Florida's riverbanks. They are nothing but...
Holes in Florida riverbanks
Florida’s riverbanks have recently been plagued by huge holes. People have been wondering what's causing them. The holes are in quite a large number in some places and look like Swiss cheese.
Experts have figured out the reason behind these holes, which they say are being created by an invasive fish. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says that these holes are not being made by anything native to Florida.
“These holes have become a common sight for our freshwater fisheries biologists,” FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute wrote in a Facebook post dated Oct 18.
The burrows are being used by the fish species to safeguard its eggs, experts say. "Dug by the exotic and invasive armoured sailfin catfish (aka ‘plecos’ or ‘Plecostomus’), these burrows serve as nesting sites where the catfish protect their eggs and young," the institute said.
The fish nests aren't visible normally but are now making an appearance because the water level has dropped.
Armoured sailfin catfish reached Florida in the 1950s through the aquarium fish trade, Miami Heral quoted experts as saying. They are native to South America and can grow up to 22 inches in length.
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The fish pose a problem to Florida
The hole digging is causing several problems to the ecosystem, as per biologists. They say Florida’s freshwater ecosystems are being affected by these nests, with the riverbanks getting destabilised and contributing to erosion.
These fishes uproot plants and wreak havoc on the food chain for native species, experts say.
These fishes enjoy a safe haven in Florida and can survive even in odd conditions. Besides, their spiny fins pose a threat to the endangered, fish-eating birds
“These hardy invaders face few threats in Florida, as they tolerate moderate salinity, gulp air when dissolved oxygen is low, and build burrows that allow them to withstand cold and drought,” according to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
