Invasive fish species reported in Nova Scotia for first time, DFO says

An invasive fish species has been found in a small waterway north of New Germany, N.S., according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

A single egg-bearing Oriental weatherfish, also known as pond loach, was discovered in Morgans Falls last month. 

The fish originate in East Asia, and this is the first time the species has been reported in the Maritimes.

DFO said the fish was likely introduced after being released from an aquarium.

Ken Donnelly, the supervisor of the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council, said when an invasive species makes its way into ecosystems, it's often due to human activity.

He said pond loach are a popular aquarium species and can cause issues when released into bodies of water the fish aren't known to be in.

"There are good intentions by people when they let animals go into the wild," Donnelly said, "but they should never, never do it. It's just a recipe for disaster."

Donnelly said releasing a new species can cause habitat destruction and unnecessary competition for food and resources, which in turn can reduce populations.

Pond loaches are freshwater fish described as having an elongated, eel-like body, with a small mouth that has six to eight barbels, or whiskers. The fish are light brown to green with scattered dark speckles and a light underbelly.

In a statement, DFO said pond loach has also been reported in southern British Columbia, but they are not aware of its presence anywhere else in Canada.

Unless authorized by law, it's illegal to release an aquatic species into a body of water that it's not native to.