Six Fishes Native to the Yangtze River: An Update on Their Status in the Mississippi River Basin

The Yangtze River of China is among the most speciose of rivers, but despite latitude and environmental similarities with the Mississippi River of the United States, only six fishes native to the Yangtze River Basin have been captured in the Mississippi River Basin.  These are Northern Snakehead, Oriental Weatherfish, and the four fishes referred to (in the United States) as “Asian carps” – Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, Black Carp, and Grass Carp.  All six fishes are eurythermal and have very broad geographic ranges in Asia.  To date, the Northern Snakehead and the Oriental Weatherfish have relatively small ranges in the Mississippi River Basin.  The Northern Snakehead has only been captured in the White River drainage in Arkansas.  The Oriental Weatherfish has been captured only in the upper portion of the Illinois River Basin; of these six fishes, it alone is not known to be established in the Mississippi Basin (but it is considered established in Lake Michigan).  The Asian carps continue to expand their range within the Mississippi River Basin, but their progress has been slow in the dammed reaches of the Mississippi River and its major tributaries.   Current locations and recent spread of these fishes will be addressed.