How to Identify This Invasive Fish in New York

Many of us will spend the end of summer at popular bodies of water around the Hudson Valley and New York. Boating, swimming, or fishing, whatever you may choose to do, is also a good opportunity for you to be a helpful set of eyes for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC).

New York State Wants You To Keep An Eye Out For This Fish

Earlier this summer, the NYS DEC asked people who would be near New York lakes and rivers to keep an eye out for an invasive fish that has been spotted all over New York. The Round Goby is a threat to our native fish, and the NYC DEC is hoping to stop its continued spread.

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The Round Goby will eat native fish, especially those that are smaller, and they also consume fish eggs. The Round Goby has also been known to carry diseases that threaten our local fish.

The Great Lakes, the Erie Canal, the Mohawk River, parts of the Hudson River, and a few of the Finger Lakes have all had reports of the Round Goby swimming in them. If you have plans to visit any of these bodies of water or others in New York, you are asked to familiarize yourself with the Round Goby.

How To Know If A Fish Is A Round Goby

There are two distinct marks on a Round Goby. They have a black spot on the first dorsal fin. They also have a single fused pelvic fin. Unfortunately, the Goby also looks a lot like the Sculpin, a fish native to New York. The NYC DEC shared a picture of both for comparison here.

Canva / Photo courtesy of Eric Engbretson (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bugwood.org)

If you spot one, follow these steps:

1 - Don't release it

2 - Take pictures of the fish from multiple angles

3 - Freeze it

4 - After you have confirmation that it is a Round Goby, throw it away.

You are also going to need to report it to I Map Invasives and your local Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management with the NYS DEC.

New York State's Invasive Plants To Be On The Lookout For

These seven invasive plants have become a nuisance to the wildlife and people living in New York State. Learn more about them and how to remove them at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation here.