Arapaima found in Florida - Anyone else see this?

[FJB]

It still doesn’t make sense to ban a fish in areas where it can’t survive. It’s just laziness on big brothers part. It’s like in school when the teacher punished the whole class because of a few.

One would think so, but as the famous saying goes, "...nature will find a way".
Even in the coldest places, there are small areas where unexpected colonization events can take place.. And these are not that infrequent or unusual. Happens all the time. The warm affluent outside a wastewater facility or cooling plant for an energy supply setup. The confluence of two streams where conditions are not the same as on either stream (upstream), and potentially downstream, depending on the sizes of the individual flows. And then, some species are so incredibly adaptable that they can withstand quite a range of conditions, at least seasonally. And let's not forget climate is changing such that the 'temperate zone' is growing north at a fast speed, and the 'tropical/subtropical' growing north and south into the temperate'.
That is why the laws are in place (or should be), even if it appears a certain species may not be likely to establish itself.

 

[robmcd]

I can smell that thing through the internet.

 

[milkman407]

snakeheads were introduced by the Asian population when they first came from overseas, they were a farm fish. There's also cases where people have found breeding pairs of Giant snakeheads in a certain part of the Everglades, so I wouldn't doubt it if this fish could survive.

 

[jstevenz]

Is that a second hook inside it's mouth? Judging by the state of carcass ,the stench alone would draw in people lol.

Yeah it is. Nuts

 

[FLA]

As previously stated as aquarist we should all be aware of the definitions of these words that the media misuses. Here is a great list from the University of Florida.

Native A species that occurs naturally in a specified geographic area. Nonnative A species that does not occur naturally in a specified geographic area. Introduced A species brought to a new geographic area intentionally or unintentionally by humans. Established A species having a self-sustaining and reproducing population in a specified geographic area without the need for human intervention. Applies to both native and nonnative species. Invasive A species that (a) is nonnative to a specified geographic area, (b) was introduced by humans (intentionally or unintentionally), and (c) does or can cause environmental or economic harm or harm to humans. Nuisance An individual or group of individuals of a species that causes management issues or property damage, presents a threat to public safety, or is an annoyance. Can apply to both native and nonnative species.


Here is the full article.
Invasive Species Terminology: Standardizing for Stakeholder Education (clemson.edu)

 

[Cich Mind]

There are all kinds of cichlids being caught in south Florida. A lot of them are caught in canals around there. They range from Red Devil/Midas all the way to Peacock Bass. That Arapaima fish in the photo is freaking mammoth!

 

[Krismo962]

As per usual the media is milking the #$#@ out of this ,there's people out there who think that these pictures in the articles are actually of arapaima caught in Florida, surprised they didn't bring up the whole 'It'lL cRaWl AcRosS LAnd AnD eAt YoUr dog" just like they did with snakeheads.