Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: NC/Neuse River (1980, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2013)
Geographic Extent
NC/Neuse River (1980, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2013); NC/Contnentnea Creek (2001, Pine et al. 2005)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Fisheries Intentional |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Predation | |
In the Tar River, a Pamlico Sound tributary, native catfishes, White Catfish (Ameiurus catus),(Black Bullhead (A. melas); A. nebulosus (Brown Bullhead), Flat Bullhead (A. platycephalus), Snail Bullhead (A. brunneus) have declined, apparently due to Flathead Catfish predation (Van Middlesworth et al. 2020). | ||
| Economic Impact | Fisheries | |
In North Carolina, Flathead Catfish are considered invasive, nongame fishes, with no limitations on fishing methods, including 'grabbling' (hand capture), traps, jug-hooks, archery, etc. (Van Middlesworth et al. 2020). | ||