
Naturalization in Belgium
First observation in the wild: |
1884 |
Invasion stage: |
stabilization |
Spatial distribution: |
restricted |

Invasiveness
Reproduction in the wild: |
yes |
Dispersion potential: |
medium |
Natural habitats: |
medium |
More on invasiveness: Lives mostly in ponds, channels and modified/eutrophicated aquatic environments.

Distribution in Belgium

Impacts on Species
Predation / Herbivory: |
high |
Competition: |
high |
Disease transmission: |
likely |
Genetic effects: |
low |

Impacts on Ecosystems
Nutrient cycling: |
low |
Physical alteration: |
low |
Natural successions: |
low |
Food web alteration: |
likely |
More on impacts: This predatory fish can occur in very high numbers and impact the native fauna by feeding on aquatic invertebrates, larvae of amphibians and fish eggs and fry. It is also suspected to cause food web alteration and is known to host non-native parasites.

Data Source & References
Authors: |
Anseeuw Dieter, Branquart Etienne, Lieffrig François, Micha Jean-Claude, Parkinson Denis, Verreycken Hugo |
Published on: |
02 October 2007 |
Last update: |
02 August 2011 |
References:
Copp G.H., Stakenas S., Fox G., Sterud E. & Horsfield R. (2007)
Do introduced pumkinseed sunfish have an impact on native species in European streams?
In: Abraham bij de Vaate (ed.), 15th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species, abstract book, p. 170.
Copp, G.H., Vilizzi, L., Mumford, J., Fenwick, G.V., Godard, M.J. & Gozlan, R.E. (2009)
Calibration of FISK, an Invasiveness Screening Tool
for Nonnative Freshwater Fishes.
Risk Analysis 29 (3).
Declerck , S., Louette, G., De Bie, T. & De Meester, L. (2002)
Patterns of diet overlap between populations of non-indigenous and native fishes in shallow ponds.
Journal of Fish Biology 61 (5), 1182-1197 pp.
Dextrase, A.J. & Mandrak, N.E. (2006)
Impacts of Alien Invasive Species on Freshwater Fauna at Risk in Canada.
Biological Invasions 8(1): 13-24.
Elvira, B. (2001)
Identification of non-native freshwater fishes established in Europe and assessment of their potential threats to the biological diversity.
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats, Council of Europe, working document T-PVS (2001) 6, 35 pp.
Garcia-Berthou, E. & Moreno-Amich, R. (2000)
Introduction of exotic fish into a Mediterranean lake over a 90-year period.
Arch. Hydrobiol. 149: 271-284.
Godin J. (2005)
Les espèces animales invasives des milieux aquatiques et humides du bassin Artois-Picardie

Agence de l'Eau Artois-Picardie.
Philippart, J.-C. (2006)
La biodiversité des poissons de Wallonie et les rempoissonnements.
In: Doignon G. (ed), Vers une nouvelle politique de rempoissonnement en Région wallonne, GIPPA asbl, 16-41.
Przybylski, M. (2006)
Invasive alien species fact sheet Lepomis gibbosus.
From online database of the North European and Baltic network on invasive alien species (NOBANIS).
Verreycken, H. (2006)
Niet-inheemse vissoorten
From online fact sheets of the Flemish Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), VLINA-project 00/11
Verreycken, H., Anseeuw, D., Van Thuyne, G., Quataert, P. & Belpaire, C. (2007)
The non-indigenous freshwater fishes of Flanders (Belgium): review, status and trends over the last decade.
Journal of Fish Biology 71 (Suppl. D): 160-172.
Welcomme, R.L. (1988)
International introductions of inland aquatic species.
FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 294, 318 pp.
Wittenberg, R. (2005)
An inventory of alien species and their threat to biodiversity and economy in Switzerland.

CABI Bioscience Switzerland Centre report to the Swiss Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape. The environment in practice no. 0629: 155p.
van Kleef, H., van der Velde, G., Leuven, R.S.E.W. & Esselink, H. (2008)
Pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) invasions facilitated by introductions and nature management strongly reduce macroinvertebrate abundance in isolated water bodies.

Biological Invasions. DOI 10.1007/s10530-008-9220-7