Identification Tools
The following are aquatic species that are considered invasive to Nebraska.
Click any photo below to learn more about these species and what you can do to help.
Priority
Zebra and Quagga Mussels
Dreissena polymorpha, Dreissena rostiformis
Forms dense colonies (clogging pipes) and filters large quantities of plankton from water, decreasing the food supply for native species.
Potential
Algae - Didymo
Didymosphenia geminate
Freshwater algae that attaches to rocks, plants, or other stable underwater surfaces and can form large, unattractive “blooms.”
Established
Asian Clam
Corbicula fluminea
May compete with native clams; can infest and interfere with irrigation systems and canals, and block water flow through industrial water intake pipes.
Established
Bighead Carp
Hypophthalmichthys nobilis
Capable of out-competing native fish for resources. They are opportunistic feeders that consume high quantities of zoo plankton and phytoplankton.
Brittle Naiad
Najas minor
Thick infestations of can inhibit the growth of native aquatic vegetation and make fishing and recreational
boating difficult.
boating difficult.
Established
Chinese Mystery Snail
Cipangopaludina chinensis
Can compete with native snail species. Potential vectors for the transmission of parasites and diseases.
Established
Chytrid Fungus
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
A fungus that infects amphibians in their keratin containing skin layers.
Known
Priority
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Competes aggressively to displace and reduce the diversity of native aquatic plants.
Giant Salvinia
Salvinia molesta
Poses a serious threat to lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and other freshwater wetlands, and cultivated rice fields.
Potential
Heterosporosis
A parasite that infects and degrades muscle tissue of yellow perch and other fish species. It creates thick sporophorocysts, in which spores develop.
Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata
Forms tall and dense stands in the water column, blocking sunlight penetration potentially displacing other aquatic organisms and impeding water flow.
Potential
Largemouth Bass Virus
Most bass with LBV will appear completely normal. In some cases, dying fish will be near the surface and have trouble swimming.
Potential
New Zealand Mud Snail
Potamopyrgus antipodarum
Freshwater snail 1/5 inch with cone-shaped shells. Can reduce food availability for native and game fish species.
Potential
Round Goby
Neogobius melanostomus
Outcompete native fishes for food, prey on darters, sculpin, eggs/fry of lake trout and sturgeon.
Established
Rudd
Scardinius erythrophthalmus
Outcompete native fishes for food, can also feed on vegetation, tolerates eutrophic or polluted waters.
Established
Rusty Crayfish
Orconectes rusticus
Eats and damages stands of aquatic plants, reducing food sources and aquatic habitat for aquatic invertebrates and fish.
Established
Silver Carp
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Known for their ability to jump several feet out of the water when disturbed by boaters. They also out-compete native fish populations for resources.
Potential
Snakehead
Chana spp
Can devastate populations of native fish and wildlife. At all stages of their lives will compete with native fish for food.
Potential
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)
Novirhabdovirus sp.
Fish will show widespread hemorrhages (bleeding) throughout the body
Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia spp.
Rapidly grows/spreads, seen as dense floating mats on the water which restricts light for organisms below, inhibits recreational activities.
Potential
Whirling Disease
Myxobolus cerebralis
This parasite prevents the fish from foraging for food and evading predators, resulting in death.
