Establishment of Gobiidae in the Great Lakes Basin

Abstract

A tubenose goby (Proterorhinus marmoratus), a European endangered species native to the Black and Caspian seas, was recovered on 11 April 1990 from the travelling screens of the Belle River Power Plant located on the St. Clair River, Michigan. Subsequently, anglers caught three round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) in the St. Clair River near Sarnia, Ontario. Thirty-one tubenose gobies and 11 round gobies were impinged or trawled at or near the Power Plant in the fall and winter of 1990–91. Nine round gobies (29–61 mm total length) are believed to be young-of-the-year. These species were probably transported to the Great Lakes in ballast water, may have successfully colonized the St. Clair River, and will probably spread throughout the Great Lakes. They are expected to impact directly other benthic fishes, such as sculpins (Cottus spp.), darters (Etheostoma spp.), and logperch (Percina caprodes), and in turn act as prey for walleye (Stizostedion vitreum).