Lake Region Aquarium Society

Members Handbook

2017

MEETINGS

Lake Region Aquarium Society meetings are held on the fourth Sunday of each month, at 1:00 PM at the Town of Sebago Lower Town Hal, Bridgton Road, Sebago Maine.

Admission is free and open to the public, visitors are always welcome to attend.

Our monthly meetings feature hobby - related educational programs, films and lectures;; question - and -answer sessions;;fish show competitions;;contests;;door prizes;;a monthly raffle;; refreshments;; access to the club Library;; a fish and aquatic plant, and related equipment auction (50% donation to the club);; and an opportunity to exchange ideas and information with fellow hobbyists. The first half hour is for members to socialize, visit with friends, and exchange information and ideas. Members are also allowed to trade/sell hobby related products, fish, and plants; as long as it doesn’t interfere with the meeting.

Note: Members are only permitted to trade fish and plants that are unrestricted bythe State of Maine.

Activities & Programs

Auctions - Every month the club will hold an auction. Participation in the Auctionis open to everyone. It is an excellent opportunity to trade fish, plants, and equipment.

Bowl Shows – Every month the club will hold a bowl show. The bowl show is opento all members in good standing. These competitions allow the members to showcase their best fish. The winners are determined by a vote of the attendees of the meeting.

Photo Contest – Every month the club holds a photo contest. The photo contest is voted on by the people in attendance at the monthly meetings.

Hobbyist of the Year- The Hobbyist of the Year program allows members to earn points for participating in club activities.

Breeding / Aquatic Horticulture Program -

Breeders Points are earned by breeding fish and entering them in the monthly auction. In order to be credited with spawning any species, the member must spawn and rear to at least 60 days of age at least 4-10 fry, depending on the typeof fish. Member must submit a spawning report with the fry.

Aquatic Horticulture Points are awarded as follows:

First time spawn 3 points (60 day old fry)Breeding Pair 2 points (Must have produced previously submitted fry)Additional spawns 1 point (30 day old fry)

Aquatic Horticulture Points are earned for entering Vegatative propigated aquatic plants in the monthly auction accompanied by with a cultivation report.

Vegetative Propigation:The asexual reproduction by natural means or human intervention. The Vegetative propagated plant must be able to survive on its own without the parent plant. Rhizome plants must include new growth with healthy rhizome, leaves and roots capable of surviving on its own. This includes, but is not limited toa.Cuttings (from leaves, roots, stems, etc.) b.Budding (plantlets and bulblets)c.Divisiond.Runnerse.Layeringf.Micro propagationg.Aponogetons

Points:3 Points for first species submission.1 Point for each additional submission.

Grow Out Contests – From time to time the club will hold a grow out competition. Each contestant receives fry and grows it out. Contestants are required to enter the fish in a specified show several months after the fry are distributed depending on the species of fish.

Breeding Contests – Occasionally the club will sponsor breeding contests to encourage members to breed fish and to enhance the stock of fish available in theclub. A typical contest would involve breeding pairs or groups to multiple individuals in the club and awarding prizes for the first spawn, The most fry produced, etc.

Community Tank Program – Setting up and maintaining aquariums in the local community. (ie. Schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.)

Other potential events – Award Banquet, Picnic, Aquatic Plant Collection Trip, Trips to other clubs auctions & Shows.

Bylaws of the Lake Region Aquarium Society

ARTICLE I - Name of the Organization

The name of the organization shall be Lake Region Aquarium Society and referred to within this document as "The LRAS."

ARTICLE II - Purpose of the Organization

The purpose of the organization shall be to encourage the study, cultivation and exhibition of freshwater and marine aquarium inhabitants, by mutual assistance of the members, by general and special field meetings, by exhibitions, and by the circulation of literature on the subject for educational and scientific purposes.

ARTICLE III - Membership

A. Any person interested in the purpose of the LRAS shall be eligible for membership.

B. Dues shall be payable upon application for membership and annually thereafter on the anniversary month of that approval.

C. Any eligible person desiring membership may make application with payment of annual dues to The LRAS.

D. Each and every member of The LRAS above the age of sixteen shall be known as an active member.Members under the age of sixteen shall be known as junior members. Junior membership shall be exempt from paying annual dues.

E. The member shall be subject to review, approval, or revocation upon the majority vote of the Board of Directors.

F. Upon recommendation of the Board of Directors, honorary memberships may be granted to any person by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any general membership meeting.

ARTICLE IV - Membership Dues

A. The annual payment required for membership shall be known as "dues" in an amount to be fixed annually by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

B. Any member delinquent in dues for two months shall be notified by the Membership

C. If payment is not made by the end of the third month, or a suitable explanation given to the membership chairperson, said member shall be considered an inactive member

D. Any inactive member may activate their membership at anytime by paying their dues.

ARTICLE V- Meetings

A. The general membership meeting of The LRAS shall be held on the 4th Sunday of each month, twelve months per year.

B. General membership meetings of The LRAS shall be held at such place or places within the Sebago Lake Region, or as determined by the Board of Directors.

C. The Board of Directors shall meet monthly if practicable. Meetings may be held at a place determined by the LRAS President, meetings may also be held via conference call as determined by the President. Special meetings of The Board may be held at any time or place upon the call of the majority of the Board or the President. A two-thirds majority of the current Board membership shall bepresent for any voting to take place at a Board of Directors meeting.

D. Every club meeting will feature a 50/50 auction and a raffle to help cover the costs of the meeting.

ARTICLE VI - The Board of Directors

A. The Board of Directors shall consist of five elected officers President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Membership Officer, Secretary, Club Delegate, Hospitality Officer, as well as the standing committee chairs.

B. The Board of Directors elected officers shall be elected in the following manner:

C. By popular general election at the Annual Meeting;

D. The slate of candidates will be presented to the club members one month before the election. Any club member may nominate or second additional candidates until one week prior to the election.

E. In the event that there is more than one candidate for an office the members will vote for each individual office. Candidates who lose will have the option of running for a lower office.

ARTICLE VII - Election of The LRAS's Officers

A. The general membership meeting of The LRAS on the 4th Sunday in July shall be known as the Annual Meeting. During the Annual Meeting the election to choose the Board of Directors for the following year shall be accomplished.

B. The Current Board of Directors shall assemble a Nominating Committee and shall present a slate of nominees for elected officers in June to be voted upon at the July Annual Meeting. The committee must accept all candidates that are nominated and seconded by club members.

C. Nomination for election to the Board of Directors shall be made directly by the Nominating Committee.

E. Each and every attendee at the Annual Meeting is entitled to one vote for the election of members of the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. Any active member of The LRAS in attendance may object to the vote and request a re-vote of only active members in attendance at the Annual Meeting.

F. The presiding officer of any meeting may at any time invoke Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VIII -Board of Directors' Term of Office

A. Term of elected office for The Board of Directors is two years commencing August 1 through July 31st of the second year.

B. The club President is limited to two consecutive two year terms and must sit out at least one term before running again.

ARTICLE IX - Duties of the Board Members

A. President shall act as the Chief Executive Officer and preside at all general membership and board meetings. The President is required to work in conjuction with the treasurer to present a complete budget and plan for the club to the board by the end of August for the upcoming year.

B. Vice President shall assist the President and assume the duties of President in the President's

absence. The 1st Vice-President will also serve as the clubs membership officer in charge of tracking membership, renewals, and recruiting new members, as well as reporting on membership to the BOD.

C. Treasurer shall handle and account for all monies of The LRAS and provide a monthly accounting to the Board of Directors.

D. Membership Officer shall maintain the list of all active and inactive members and is responsible for keeping track of dues and co-ordinating the collection of dues with the LRAS Treasurer

E. Secretary shall record and maintain records of all business transacted at General Membership, Board and special meetings of The LRAS.

F. Delegate at Large represents LRAS at other organizations such as, NEC & FAAS.

G. Hospitality Officer – In charge of purchasing refreshments for general meetings. And greeting and signing in all guests and members in attendance at the meeting.

H. Standing Committees- Committees shall be formed or dissolved by the Board of Directors. The committees can consist of Board members and voluntary general members. The number of people on a committee is to be determined by the Board of Directors. Chairpersons of these committees are selectedby the president and voted on by the board., said chairperson(s) will provide either in person or in writing the status of that committee's progress at each general meeting until that committee has completed it's purpose or been dissolved by the Board of Directors

Committee chairpersons have a vote on the BOD. Standing Committee chairs can be removed and replaced with a 2/3 vote of the board.

The club will have the following standing committees:

Aquarist Points Committee – Responsible for tracking the points for all club members and co-oridinating activities with other committees.

Show Committee – Responsible for organizing the monthly bowl show as well as the annual show.

Publication Committee – Responsible for producing and distributing a monthly club newsletter/magazine. Collecting reports from Board of Directors, and General Meetings, Reports from Standing Committees. Encourage members to write articles and provide content to the club newsletter.

Auction Committee – Resposible for running all LRAS auctions.

Breeding Committee – Create program for encouraging membership to cultivate aquatic life.

Photo Contest – Organize a monthly photo contest at club meetings.

ARTICLE X - Board of Directors' Scope of Authority

A. The LRAS empowers the Board of Directors with the authority to supervise all operations necessaryto the functioning of The LRAS.

B. The Board shall transact all necessary business of The LRAS, with the power to expend monies, direct LRAS activities, and create and enforce all policy required to maintain and expand the purposes and goals of The LRAS as set forth in Article II. The implementation of all powers of the Board shall be by simple majority vote of The Board.

C. To review and approve The LRAS's annual budget presented by the President & Treasurer every August.

D. To audit the Treasurer's accounts when deemed necessary by the Board.

E. To remove any member of the Board of Directors not fulfilling his duties, or for just.

F. Committees may be formed at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI - Amendment to LRAS Constitution

A. This Constitution may be amended at any time.

B. Amendment to The Constitution is accomplished by the vote of two-thirds of the general members present at a general meeting.

C. All proposed amendments to the Constitution must have been published for the benefit of the general membership at least one month prior to such vote.

ARTICLE XII - Use of Name and Insignia

A. No member shall have authority to use the name or insignia of the LRAS in any manner without prior approval of the Board of Directors.

B. No action or representation of any member shall be binding upon The LRAS without prior approval of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIII - Miscellaneous

A. No part of The LRAS's earnings may inure to the benefit of any person having a personal and private interest in the activities of The LRAS.

B. In the event of dissolution of The LRAS, all properties and monies of The LRAS shall be donated toa non-profit organization to be designated by the Board of Directors.

AUCTION RULES

1. Open to Everyone – The auction is open to everyone (members and the general public),to both buy and sell.

2. Registration – Please register when you arrive, before you start putting your items on the table. Entries will not be accepted after the fish check-in closes under any circumstances and you will be asked to remove your items from the auction tables. Registration forms will be available at the auction site and on our web site.

3. Restricted species (those requiring state permits) will not be offered for sale. The list ofunrestricted species is available at http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/human/regulations/unrestricted.html

4. Unfit Items – The auction committee will remove any item that it feels is unfit for sale. The item will be placed aside, and the seller can retrieve the item at the end of the auction.

5. Bagging – No flimsy, leaky, or zip lock bags will be allowed – please use regular fish bags. These bags are available from the club for a nominal fee. When bagging fish, remember that they may be in the bag for a number of hours, and should be bagged with about 1/3 the volume of the bag with water and 2/3 with air. Do not blow the air into the bags by mouth as this introduces carbon dioxide. Large fish should be placed in large bags or buckets. Don’t use twist ties to tie your bags as they may puncture the bag. Double bagging is recommended for larger fish or those with spines. A $3.00 charge will be assessed for each item that the auction committee deems necessary to re-bag, and will be deducted from your payout.

6. Labelling – All items must be labelled with the contents and the owner’s name, membership number, and reserve price (if any). Fishes should show Scientific Name and Common Name if there is one. Members will use their membership number. Non Members will receive a number when they register. Bags will be numbered starting at 1, and must be consecutive up to a maximum number of 50. Skipping of numbers (to get bags on certain tables) is not permitted.Sample Label:Name of Seller Member/Non-Member #-Item #Scientific Name of Item:Common Name of Item:For Dry Goods: Seller must indicate if in working order on both the label and the auction sheet.

7. Reserve Prices – A reserve (minimum) price may be specified for any item. However, the reserve price must be clearly marked by the seller on both the auction form and the item itself for the reserve price to be honoured.

8. Order of Auction – The auction will be run using a 10 table system. The order the tableswill be auctioned in will be determined by a random draw just prior to the beginning of the

auction. The last digit of the item number is used to determine the table the item should be placed on. For example, if you are member #24, your items will be numbered using a combination of your membership number, and the bag number (24-1, 24-2, 24-3 … 24-50). The last digit will correspond to the table the item goes on: item 24-1 goes to table 1; item 24-2 to table 2; item 24-3 to table 3; 24-11 to table 1.

9. Withdrawing an Item – Once an item has been registered for sale, it may not be withdrawn by the seller without approval of the auction committee.

10.Viewing – No viewing of items will be allowed during the Auction. 11.Payment for Purchases – All Members and Non-members must pay the runners in

cash at the time of their purchase unless working as a registered volunteer (see 14). 12.Volunteers running a tab – If pre-registered at the cash table, volunteers may run a tab

during the auction. This tab must be paid by cash or check before leaving and cannot be deducted from sales. Volunteers include those assisting with/as auctioneers, runners, canteen, cash table, registration, greeting.

13.Payment for Sales – All payouts will be made at the end of the auction. Sellers not present at the end of the auction will have cheques mailed to them within 14 business days of the sale. Ensure that we have your current and complete address.

14.Auction Split– The LRAS shall split the sale with the seller 50/50. 15.Items not Sold – Lots will only be offered for sale once. If not sold they should be

reclaimed by the seller. Any items not sold at the auction will be the responsibility of the seller to remove the items at the end of the sale.

16.Bumps - Buyers wishing to bring an item forward in the auction may do so on a payment of $2 ‘Bump Fee”. All bids will be taken in $2 increments.

17.No Guarantees on Livestock (fish, plants, etc.) – Responsibility for the health and maintenance of all livestock rests solely with the buyer from the moment the goods are accepted. No refunds will be given for livestock under any circumstances. It is solely theresponsibility of the buyer to follow proper quarantine procedures.

18.Dry Goods Policy – On all dry goods, the seller should indicate if the item is in good working order, in need of repairs, or for parts. The RAS will not be responsible for the condition of these items. If an item for sale is not marked as working, it should be assumed that the item is not working, and you should bid on it accordingly. If a purchaseditem is not as described, the buyer may return it within 7 days. Once the problem is confirmed, a full refund will be issued to the buyer, and the item will be returned to the seller for a refund.

19.Rules will be Posted – This list of rules will be posted at the registration table during the meetings.

Bowl Show Rules

The Bowl Show is a contest in which members of the Lake Region Aquarium Society bring in their prized fish to exhibit them at the monthly meeting. All members are strongly encouraged to exhibit their fish. The attendees at the meetings are polled on their top three choices. Each exhibit scores 3 points for each first place vote, two points for each second place vote, and one point for each third place vote. The entry with the highest point total wins first place, second total points wins second, and third highest wins third place.

Who may participate?

Members in good standing who have paid their membership may enter fish for the bowl show. Allattendees at the meeting may vote for the winners.

How are the yearly standings calculated?

The participants in the bowl shows score points as follows.

• 1st Place - 4 points

• 2nd Place - 3 points

• 3rd Place - 2 Points

• All other exhibitors receive 1 point.

ContainersPlease use the appropriate sized container to safely hold your fish. Many members like to get creative with the type of container they show their fish in.

What are the rules?

1. Entrants must fill out the entry form completely. If the entry form is not filled out by the time voting starts, and the entry wins first, second, or third place, the person may not be credited for winning the bowl show.

2. One vote per person. Only those present may vote. Each person may only cast their own vote.Each person votes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Entrants are allowed and encouraged to vote. Entrants may vote for themselves.

3. Exhibitors receive 3 points for each first place vote, 2 points for each 2nd place vote, and 1 point for each 3rd place vote. Ties will split points.

3. Entrants must be members who are in good standing and have paid their membership. Members must also be paid up by the time of the awards ceremony to receive their prize. (Membership in the LRAS is $10/year).

4. Entrants may enter the same fish in competition more than once.

5. Members may enter more than one fish in a show.

These rules may be changed at any time as needed. Rule changes are at the discretion of the Show Chairman.

What type of fish are allowed?

The Bowl show is "Open Class" any fish on the Maine unrestricted species list.

Does the fish have to be born in my tanks?

No. You are allowed to show any fish you own regardless of whether or not you bred it yourself. Bring your best fish.

What is the prize?

Prizes will be awarded each month.

Unrestricted Fish Species in MaineSource: Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/human/regulations/unrestricted.htmlretrieved March 25th 2017

Alphabetical List of Fishes by Scientific NameCommon Names Used in Trade and Sale

of FishesScientific Name (genus & species

subspecies) High-Backed Headstander Abramites hypselonotus hypselonotusCat, Talking Catfish, Spiny Catfish Acanthodoras spinosissimus Long-Nosed Loach, Horse-Face Loach Acantopsis dialuzona Barracuda, Freshwater, Spotted Cachorro Acestrorhynchus falcatus Barracuda, Amazon Cachorro, Dog Characin Acestrorhynchus falcirostris Cichlid, Blue Spot Cichlid, Blue Acara Aequidens pulcher Cichlid, Green Terror, Esmeralda Cichlid Aequidens rivulatus Cat, White-Spot Doradid, Talking Catfish, Spotted Doras Agamyxis pecthifrons

Cichlid, Compressiceps, Compressed Cichlid Altolamprologus compressiceps Cat, Hancock's Doradid, Talking Catfish, Striped Doras, Flying Pan Catfish, Hancock's Amblydoras

Amblydoras hancockii

Cichlid, Red Devil, Thicklips Cichlid Amphilophus labiatus Red Devil, Thicklips Cichlid Amphilophus labiatus Four-Eyes, Striped Four-Eyed Fish Anablep anableps Snowflake Bristlenose Ancistrus hoplogenys Big-spot Bristlenose Ancistrus lineolataus Temminck's Bristlenose, Bristlenose Catfish Ancistrus temminckii; A. dolichopterus Striped Anostomus, Striped Headstander Anostomus anostomus amostomus Gray-Lined Anostomus Anostomus garmani Anostomus, four-spot Four-Spotted Headstander Anostomus gracilis

False Three-Spotted Anostomus Anostomus spiloclistronLisa Anostomus, Lisa Anostomus taeniatus Ternetz's Anostomus, Red-Mouth Headstander Anostomus ternetziOdd-Lip Anostomus Anostomus trimaculatus Three-Spot Anostomus Anostomus trimaculatusCheckerboard Anostomus Anostomus variusAgissiz Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma agassizii Banded Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma bitaeniataBorelli’s Dwarf Cichlid, Yellow Dwarf Cichlid, Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma borellii

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Big Mouth Apistogramma, Crested Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides

Net Dwarf Cichlid, Amazon Dwarf Cichlid, Pertensis Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma pertensis

Three-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid, Blue Apistogramma, Drifasciata Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma trifasciata trifasciata

Blue Panchax, Panchax Panchax, Panchax Aplocheilus panchax panchaxBlack Ghost, Knife Fish Ghost, Knifefish Black Ghost

Apteronotus albifrons

Long-Nosed Black Ghost, Knife Fish, Brown Ghost Apteronotus leptrohynchus

Zebra Cichlid, Convict Cichlid Archocentrus nigrofasciatusArius Catfish, West American Shark Cat, Jordon's Catfish, Shark Catfish Arius seemani

Tetra, Glass, Glass Headstander, Small-scaledGlass-characin Asiphonichthys condei

Bloyet's Mouthbrooder Astatotilapia bloyeti Oscar, Red Oscar, Peacock Cichlid, Velvet Cichlid. Includes: Big-Spot Oscar, Marble Oscar, Plane-Colour Oscar, Blackfin Oscar, Red-Pearl Oscar.

Astronotus ocellatus

Albino Oscar Astronotus ocellatus albinoBlind Cave Tetra Astyanax fasciatus mexicanusBadis, Blue Dwarf, Dwarf Perch, Chameleonfish, Dwarf Chameleon Fish Badis badis.badis

Cat, Black Lancer Catfish Bagrichthys hypselpterusTricolor Shark, Bala Shark, Silver Shark Balantiocheilus melanopterusSucker Barb, Siam Highfin Shark, Sucker Barb Barbichthys laevisArulius Barb, Longfin Barb, Filament Barb Barbus aruliusTwo-Spotted Barb, Red-Striped Barb Barbus bimaculatusRosy Barb, Red Barb Barbus conchoniusClown Barb, Everett's Barb Barbus everettiT-Barb, Spanner Barb Barbus lateristrigaBlack-Ruby Barb, Ruby Barb, Purple-Headed Barb Barbus nigrofasciatus

Checkered Barb, Checkerboard Barb, Island Barb, Iridescent Barb, Chequer Barb Barbus oligolepis

Golden Barb, Sachs' Barb, Gol-Finned Barb Barbus sachsiTinfoil Barb, Schwanenfeld's Barb Barbus schwanefeldi Green Barb, Thin-Banded Barb, Chineses Barb, Half-Striped Bab, Half-Banded Barb,

Barbus semifasciolatus

Gold Bard Tiger Barb, Sumatran Barb Barbus tetrazona.tetrazonaCherry Barb Barbus titteyaMadagascan Rainbowfish Bedotia geayiPike Topminnow, Piketop Minnow, Pike Killifish, Pike Livebearer

Belonesox belizanus belizanus

Pearly Betta Betta anabatoidesSlender Betta Betta bellicaPainted Betta Betta bellicaBetta, Chinese fighting fish Betta splendensBengal Loach, Queen Loach Botia darioLe Conti's Loach, Red-Finned Loach, Red-Tailed Blue Shark, Gold Fin Loach Botia lecontei

Pakistani Loach, Pakistani Shark Botia lohachataClown Loach, Tiger Botia Botia macracanthusOrange-Finned Loach Botia modesta Hora's Loach Cream Botia, Skunk Loach Botia morleti Zebra Loach, Striped Botia Botia striata Spotted Pike, Characin Boulengerella maculataPearl Danio, Gold Danio, Spotted Danio Brachydanio albolineatus Leopard Danio Brachydanio frankei Zebra Danio, Zebra Brachydanio rerioGolden-Banded Goby, Doria's Bumblebee Goby, Doria's Bumblebeefish Brachygobius doriae

Golden-Banded Goby, Doria's Bumblebee Goby, Doria's Bumblebeefish Brachygobius doriae

Common Brochis, Green Brochis, Emerald Catfish, Sailfin Corydoras, Short-Bodied Catfish Brochis splendens

Slender Armored Catfish, Bubble-Nest-BuildingCatfish, Armored Catfish, Callichthys Catfish Callichthys callichthys callichthys

Goldfish Carassius auratus auratus Marble Hatchetfish Carnegiella strigata strigataFrogmouth Catfish, Chocolate Frogmouth Catfish Chaca bankanensis

Chalceus, Yellow-Finned Chalceus, Pink-Tailed Characin, Pink-Tailed Chalceus Chalceus macrolepidotus

Indian Glassfish, Glassfish, Glass Perch Chanda rangaGlass Headstander, Humpbacked Headstander, Glass Characin Charax gibbosus

Spotted Headstander, Pearl Headstander, Spotted Headstander Chilodus punctatus

Pike Cichlid, Peacock Bass, Peacock Cichlid, Eyespot Cichlid, Lukanani

Cichla ocellaris

Rio Grande Perch, Texas Cichlid, Pearl Cichlid Cichlasoma cyanoguttatumPort Cichlid, Black Acara, Port Acara, Brown Acara, Golden Cichlid

Cichlasoma portalegrensis

Cichlid, Keyhole Cichlid Cleithracara maroniiBanded Gourami, Little Giant Gouram,i Giant Gourami, Striped Gourami, Banded Gourami, Indian Gourami, Rainbow Gourami

Colisa fasciata

Gourami, Thick Lipped Gourami Colisa labiosa Gourami, Dwarf Gourami, Sunset Gourami Colisa laliaGourami, Honey Gourami, Honeycomb Gourami, Honey Dwarf Gourami

Colisa sota

Bronze Catfish, Schultz's Catfish, Aeneus Catfish Corydoras aeneus

Corydora, Skunk Cat Arched Corydoras, SkunkCory, Tabatinga Catfish Corydoras arcuatus

Corydoras, Elegant Cory Corydoras elegansBlack-Spotted, Corydoras Black Sail Cory Corydoras melanistius melanistius Corydoras, Bandit Cory, Masked Corydoras Corydoras metaeCorydoras, Blue Cory Natterer's Catfish, Blue Catfish Corydoras nattereri

Corydoras, Panda Cory Corydoras panda Cat, Pygmy Corydoras Corydoras pygmaeusCorydoras, Network Catfish, Reticulated Corydoras Corydoras reticulatus

Flagtail Corycat, Robina's Cory, Mrs Schwartz's Catfish, Flagtail Corydoras Corydoras robineae

Schwartz's Cory Corydoras schwartzi Catfish, Leopard Corydoras, False Julii Catfish,Three-Line Cory Corydoras trilineatus

Cat, Peppered Corydoras, Mottled Catfish Corydorus paleatus Saxa Crenicichla, Rocky Pike Cichlid, White-Spotted Pike Cichlid, Ring-Tailed Pike Cichlid, Spangled Pike Cichlid

Crenicichla saxatilis

Fox, Siamese Flying Fox (fish) Crossocheilus siamensisOrnate Ctenopoma, Orange Bushfish Ctenopoma ansorgiiPearlscale Ctenopoma, Pearl Bushfish Ctenopoma damasi Kingsley's Ctenopoma, Tail-Spot Climbing Perch, Tailspot Bushfish Ctenopoma kingsleyae

Dwarf Ctenopoma, Gaboon Dwarf Bushfish Ctenopoma nanum

Sharp-Nosed Combing Perch, Marbled Climbing Perch, Sharp-Nosed Ctenopoma, Mottled Ctenopoma

Ctenopoma oxyrhynchum

Barb, Skin-head Cyclocheilichthys apogon Cichlid, Frontosa Cichlid Cyphotilapia frontosa Cichlid, Blue Lumphead, Blue Dolphin Cichlid Cyrtocara moorii Danio, Giant Danio Danio aequipinnatusSiamese Tiger Fish Datniodes microlepis Datnoid, Many-Barred Tiger Fis,h Siamese Tiger,, Four-Barred Tiger Fish

Datniodes quadrifasciatus

Halfbeak Wrestling Half, Malayan Halfbeak Dermogenys pusillus pusillus Cat, Porthole Catfish Dianema longibarbis Cat, Flag-Tailed Catfish, Striped-Tailed Catfish Dianema urostriataMalawi Eye-Biter Dimidiochromis compressicepsRed-Finned Distichodus Distichodus notospilusShort-Nosed Clown Tetra, Six-Barred Distichodus Distichodus sexfasciatus

Two-Colored Banjo Catfish, Banjo Catfish Dysichthys coracoideus coracoideusGreen Knife Fish Eigenmannia virescens Electric Eel Electrophorus electricus Red-Tailed Labeo, Red Finned Black Shark Epalzeorhynchus bicolor Ruby Shark, Rainbow Shark, Red-Finned Shark Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Cat, Flying Fox Epalzeorhynchus kallopterus Shark, Flying Fox Epalzeorhynchus kallopterusSnakefish, Ropefish, Reedfish Erpetoichthys calabaricus Chromide, Orange Chromide Etroplus maculatus Three-Striped Glass Catfish, African Glass Catfish, Congo Glass Catfish Eutropiellus debauwi

Bucktoothed Tetra Exodon paradoxus Common Hatchetfish, Black-Lined Silver Hatchetfish, Silver Hatchetfish Gasteropelecus sternicla

Brazil Geophagus, Pearl Cichlid, Brasilian High-Hat Geophagus braziliensis

Spotted Sailfin, Sucker Catfish Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps Elephant-Nose, Peter's Elephantnose, Long Nosed Elephant Fish Gnathonemus petersii

Blunt-jaw elephantnose Gnathonemus tamandua Aba Aba Gymnarchus niloticus Black Tetra, Black Widow Longfinned Black Tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Mouthbrooder, Paraguay Balzani Cichlid Paraguay Eartheater

Gymnogeophagus balzanii

Sucking Loach Chinese Algae Eater Indian Algae Eater Siamese Algae Eater Gyrinocheilus aymonieri

Hampala Silver and Red Barb Sidebar Barb Hampala macrolepidota Burton's Hap; Burton's Mouth-Brooder Burton'sNigerian Mouthbreeder

Haplochromis burtoni

Silver-Tipped Tetra, Hearing's Silver-Tipped Tetra

Hasemania nana

Kissing Gouram,i Green Kissing Gourami, PinkKissing Gourami Helostoma temminckii

Jewel Cichlid, Jewelfish Red Cichlid Hemichromis bimaculatus Lifalili Cichlid, Blood-Red Jewel Cichlid Hemichromis lifalili Buenos Aires Tetra Hemigrammus caudovittatus Glowlight Tetra Hemigrammus erythrozonusHead and Tail Light, Beacon Fish Hemigrammus ocelliferPretty Tetra, Black Wedge Tetra, Garnet Tetra Hemigrammus pulcher pulcherRummy Nose, Red-Nosed Tetra Hemigrammus rhodostomus Golden Tetra, Roadway's Tetra Hemigrammus rodwayi Black and White Tailed, Half-Striped Characin, Hemiodus, Half-Lined Hemiodus Hemiodopsis semitaeniatus

Barton's Cichlid Herichthys bartoniPearlscale Cichlid Herichthys carpintisBlack Belt Cichlid Herichthys maculicaudaManaquense Cichlid Herichthys managuensisSeverum Cichlid, Eye Spot Cichlid, Banded Cichlid, Convict Fish Heros severus

Rainbow Cichlid Herotilapia multispinosaCommon Trahita, Tiger Tetra Hoplias malabaricus Port Hoplo, Bubblenest Catfish Hoplo Cat Atipa Hoplosternum thoracatum thoracatumFlame Tetra Red Tetra from Rio Red Tetra Tetra Von Rio Hyphessbrycon flammeus

Bleeding Heart Tetra Tetra Perez Hyphessobrycon erythrostigmaBlack Tetra Black Neon Tetra Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiLoreto Tetra Hyphessobrycon loretoensisLemon Tetra Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnisGolden Phantom Tetra Hyphessobrycon roseus Serpa Tetra Blood Characin Jewel Tetra Callistus Tetra Tetra Serpae Hyphessobrycon serpae

Knifefish, Slender-tailed Knife Fish Hypopygus lepturus

Dotted Hypostomus Hypostomus micropunctatusPlecostomus, Pleco Plecostomus Cafish Sucker Catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus Florida grown?

Chocolate Cichlid Hypselecara coryphaenoidesRusty Cichlid Melanochromis Brevis Iodotropheus sprengerae American Flagfish, Flagfish Jordanella floridae Glass Catfish Ghost Catfish Indian Ghost Kryptopterus bicirrhisBlack Shark Labeo chrysophekadion Red-Fin Shark Rainbow Shark Labeo erythrurus Variegated Shark Harlequin Shark Blotchy Shark

Labeo variegatus

Fulleborn's Cichlid Labeotropheus fuelleborniTrewavas' Cichlid Red-Top Cichlid Labeotropheus trewavasae Orange-Lined Cichlid Labidochromis exasperatusDwarf Flag Cichlid Flag Cichlid Flag Acara FlagLaetacara Thayer's Cichlid Blunthead Laetacara curviceps

Jonklaas's Loach Lepidocephalus jonklaasi South American Lungfish Lepidosiren paradoxa Black-Banded Leporinus Banded Leporinus Striped Leporinus Leporinus fasciatus fasciatus

Eight-Banded Leporinus Leporinus octofasciatus Belted Leporinus Leporinus pellegrini Red-Finned Cigar Shark River Barb Pink-Tailed Barb Leptobarbus hoevenii

Auritus Limnochromis auritusCat, Jaguar Catfish Liosomadoras oncinusZebra Cichlid Lobochilotes labiatusLong-Finned Apollo Shark Luciosoma sentigerumHalf-Banded Spiny Eel Macrognathus circumcinctusSpot-Finned Spiny Eel Macrognathus saimensisGourami, Paradise Fish Macropodus opercularis Electric Catfish Malapterurus electricus White Spotted Spiny Eel Spiny Eel Tire Track Eel Mastacembelus armatus armatus

Fire Eel Mastacembelus erythrotaeniaBlack Phantom Tetra Megalamphodus megalopterus Chipokae Mbuna Melanochromis chipokaeJohanni Mbuna Melanochromis johanniiParallel-Striped Mbuna Melanochromis parallelusBoeseman's Rainbowfish Melanotaenia boesemani

Maryland's Rainbowfish Melanotaenia maylandiSplendid Rainbowfish Cape York Rainbowfish Eastern Rainbowfish Pink-Tailed Australian Rainbow

Melanotaenia splendida

Checkered Rainbow Fish Melanotaenia splendida inornaataFestive Cichlid, Flag Cichlid Mesonauto festivus Metynnis, Plain Metynnis Metynnis hypsauchen hypsauchen Ram Butterfly, Dwarf Cichlid Ramirez', Dwarf Cichlid, Ramirezi Butterfly Cichlid

Microgeophagus ramirezi

Red-Line Pipefish, Microphis brachyurus brachyurus Diamond Tetra, Pitter's Tetra Moenkausia pittieri Yellow-Banded Moenkhausia, Red-Eye Tetra, Red-Eyed Tetra Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

South American Leaf Fish, Barbeled Leaf Fish, Leaffish Monocirrhus polyacanthus

Mono, Fingerfish Moon Fish, Mono Malayan Angel, Natal Moony Silver Batfish, Singapore Angel

Monodactylus argenteus

Mormyrid, Torpedo Mormyrid Mormyrops engystoma Golden Mylossoma, Silver Dollar Mylossoma aureum Silver Mylossoma, Hard-Bellied Silver Dollar, Hard-Bellied Characin Mylossoma duriventre

Silver Mylossoma, Hard-Bellied Silver Dollar, Hard-Bellied Characin Mylossoma duriventre

Two-Spot Catfish, Bar-Tail Mystus, Two-Spot Pink Bagrid Mystus micracanthus

Cichlid, Salvin's Cichlid Nandopsis salvini Brown-tailed Pencilfish, Three-Striped Pencilfish, Tube-Mouthed Pencilfish, Hochey Stick Pencilfish, Black-Tailed Pencil Fish, Diptail Pencilfish, Tube-Mouthed Pencilfish, Pencilfish

Nannobrycon eques

One-Lined Pencilfish, Red-Tailed Pencil Fish Nannobrycon unifasciatusThree-Lined Pencilfish, Three-Banded Pencilfish Nannostomus trifasciatus duplicate?

Emperor Tetra, Black Emperor Tetra Nematobrycon palermiCichlid, Livinstoni Nimbochromis livingstonii Polystigma Nimbochromis polystigmaBenustus Hap, Benustus Hap Venustus Nimbochromis venustus Metynnis, Red-eyed No specific species listed.Arowana, Silver Arowana, Aruana Arawana Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Black Arowana Osteoglossum ferreiraiDwarf Otocinclus, Golden Otocinclus, Midget Sucker Catfish, Sucking Catfish ,Golden Dwarf Sucker Catfish

Otocinclus affinis

Royal Panaque, Pin-Striped Plec Panaque, Gold Nugget Plec

Panaque nigrolineatus

Blue-eyed panaque, Blue-eyed Plecostomus Panaque suttoni Siamese Shark, Asian Shark, Catfish Irridescent Shark, Catfish

Pangasius sutchi

Siamese Shark, Asian Shark, Catfish Irridescent Shark, Catfish Pangasius sutchi

Javanese Loach Pangio javanicusKuhli Loach, Coolie Loach, Leopard Eel Prickly Eye Striped Loach Pangio kuhlii kuhlii

Coolie Loach, Slimy Myersi Kuhli Loach, Myer'sLoach, Slimy Loach Pangio kuhlii myersi

Butterfly, African Butterfly Fish Pantodon buchhoizi Cardinal Tetra Paracheirodon axelrodiNeon Tetra, Neontetra Paracheirodon innesiCat, West African Glass Catfish Paraila occidentalisBrazil Butterfly, Pretty Peckoltia, Striped Plec Peckoltia pulcherBanded Peckoltia, Clown Pleco, Striped Sucker Peckoltia vittata

Kribensis Purple Cichlid, Dwarf Rainbow Cichlid, Common Krib Pelvicachromis pulcher

Congo Tetra, Feathertail Tetra, Spike Tail Tetra Phenacogrammus interruptus

Redtail Catfish Phractocephalus hemioliopterusCat, African Whiptailed Catfish Phractura ansorgi Slender Pimelodella Pimelodella gracilisWhite-Striped Pimelodus, Banded Pimelodus Pimelodus albofaciatus Cat, Dusky Dusky Pimelodus Pimelodus blochii Polka-Dot Catfish, Angelicus Pimelodus, Spotted Pimelodella Pimelodus pictus

Polka-Dot Catfish, Angelicus Pimelodus, Spotted Pimelodella Pimelodus pictus

Deep-Water Haplo Placidochromis electra Striped Raphael Catfish, Humbug Catfish Platydoras armatusFalse Chocolate Doradid Platydoras costatusSailfin Molly, Green Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinnaGuppy Millionsfish Poecilia reticulata

Black Molly, Pointed-Mouth Molly, Short-Finned Molly, Mexico Molly, Shortfin Molly, Yellow Sphenops Molly, Molly Sphenops, MollySphenops, Mexican Molly

Poecilia sphenops

Mexican Sailfin, Molly Green-Sailfin, Molly Yucatan, Molly Sail-Fin, Molly

Poecilia velifera

Dusky Whale (fish) Pollimyrus nigripinnisArmored Bichir, Banded Sailfin Polypterus delheziReticulated Freshwater Stingray Potamotrygon reticulatusX-ray Fish, Pristella Water Goldfinch, Albino Pristella Pristella maxillaris

Dwarf Egyptian, Mouth-Brooder Dwarf, Mouthbrooder Egyptian, Mouthbrooder Small, Mouth-Brooder Dwarf, Eqyptian Mouthbreeder

Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor multicolor

Gourami, Day's Paradise fish Pseudosphromenus dayAurora Cichlid, Pseudotropheus Lucerna Pseudotropheus auroraSlender Cichlid, Elongated Nyasa Cichlid, Slender Pseudotropheus Pseudotropheus elongatus

Kennyi Mbuna Pseudotropheus Kenyi Pseudotropheus Lilancinius Pseudotropheus lombardoi

Eduard's Mbuna Pseudotropheus Pindani Pseudotropheus socolofi Zebra Cichlid, Nyassa Blue Cichlid, Red-Top Zebra, Zebra Mazinzi Nyasa, Blue Cichlid Pseudotropheus zebra

Deep Angelfish, Altum Angel, Long-Finned Angelfish Pterophyllum altum

Long-Nose Angelfish Pterophyllum dumeriliAngelfish, Lesser Angelfish, Scalare Pterophyllum scalare Gold Pleco, Many-Rayed Sailfin, Sucker, Catfish Pterygoplichthys multriadiatus

Redtailed Rasbora, False Magnificent Rasbora,Brilliant Rasbora Rasbora borapetensis

Long-Band Rasbora, Brilliant Rasbora, Einthoven's Rosbora, Blackstripe Rasbora Rasbora einthovenii

Two-Spot Rasbora, Elgant Rasbora, Yellow Rasbora Rasbora elegans elegans

Harlequin Fish, Harlequin Rasbora, Red Rasbora, Harlequin Rasbora Rasbora heteromorpha

Clown Rasbora, Iridescent Rasbora, Big-Spot Rasbora Rasbora kalochroma

Spotted Rasbora, Pigmy Rasbora, Dwarf Rasbora Rasbora maculata

Red-Striped Rasbora, Redline Rasbora, Rasbora pauciperforata

Glowlight Rasbora Three-line Rasbora Scissortailed Rasbora Rasbora trilineataMalawi Torpedo Rhamphchromis macrophthalmusEel Knife Fish Rhampichthys rostratus Cat, Regan's bishop there is no common name associated with this scientific name.

Rineloricaria fallax

Earth-Eater, Demon Fish Satanoperca jurupariScat Argus Fish, Spotted Scat, Spotted Butterfish Scatophagus argus argus

Electric Blue Haplo, Haplochromis Big Eye Sciaenochromis ahli Plain-Body Prochilodus, Silver Prochilodus Semaprochilodus taeniurusFlag-Tailed Prochilodus Semaprochilodus theraponuraShovel-Nose Catfish Sorubim limaChocolate Gourami, Sphaerichthys osphromenoidesAfrican Blockhead, Lionhead Cichlid, Bumphead Cichlid, Buffalohead Cichlid, Flathead Cichlid

Steatocranus casuarius

Knight Goby Stigmatogobius sadanundioPanama Sturisoma Royal Whiptail Royal Farowella Sturisoma panamense

Discus Discus Fish, Green Discus Blue Discus Symphysodon aequifasciatus aequifasciatusDiscus fish, Discus Hecke,l Discus Red, DiscusPompadour Symphysodon discus discus

American Marbled Eel Synbranchus marmoratusCongo High-Fin, Synodontis Albert's Catfish Synodontis albertiAngel Catfish, Polka-Dot Synodontis, Polda-Dot African Catfish Synodontis angelicus

Brichard's Synodontis Synodontis brichardiFeather-Fin Synodontis Synodontis eupterus Cuckoo Syndontis, Multi-Spotted Synodontis Synodontis multipunctatusBlack Spotted Upside Down Catfish Synodontis nigriventris Spotted Synodontis, One-Spot Catfish Synodontis notatus Poll's Upside-Down Catfish, Leopard Catfish Synodontis polli Vermiculated Synodontis Synodontis schoutedeniBlue-line silver tetra; Big-Eyed Characin; Silver Tetra Tetragonopterus argenteus

Puffer Fish, Figure-Eight Puffer, Striped Puffer Tetraodon palembangensis Penguin Fish, Boehlke's Penguin, Bohlke's Penguin Thayeria boehlkei

Silver Hatchetfish, Thoracocharax stellatus

Firemouth Cichlid Thorichthys meeki Seven-Spot Archer Fish, Common Archer Fish Toxotes chatareus Archer Fish Toxotes jaculatrixGourami, Pearl Pearl Gourami, Lace Gourami, Leeri Mosaic Gourami Trichogaster leeri

Moonlight Gourami, Moonbeam Gourami Trichogaster microlepisSnake-Skinned Gourami Trichogaster pectoralisThree-Spot Blue Gourami, Blue Gourami Spotted Gourami Trichogaster trichopterus trichopterus

Dwarf Croaking Gourami, Pygmy Gourami, Sparking Gourami

Trichopsis pumila

Yellow-Finned Hatchetfish, Yellowfin Giant Hatchet, Pretty Chalcinus Triportheus albus

African Knife fish Xenomystus nigri Swordtail, Green Swordtail Helleri Xiphophorus helleri Platy, Southern Platy, Moon Platy Xiphophorus maculatus Variegated Platy, Variatus Platy, Variable Platy Sunset, Platy Platy Variatus Xiphophorus variatus

Prohibited Aquatic Plants in MaineSource: Maine Department of Environmental Protection

http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/invasives/Retrieved March 25th, 2017

Brazilian ElodeaEgeria densa

Photo: T. Pennington, Portland State University. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

DescriptionBrazilian elodea has dense whorls of 4-6 leaves growing from submersed stems. Under magnification fine serrations are visible on the blade-shaped leaves. Unique double whorls, known as double nodes, occur along the stem wherever it branches. White, yellow-centered flowers grow on stalks from leaf axils to the water surface.

General InformationBrazilian elodea is native to South America. It was introduced to the United States as an aquarium plant and is now present in many states including New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. Although Brazilian elodea resembles hydrilla it does not produce tubers. Its only means of reproduction is from plant fragments containing a double node.

Yellow Floating HeartNymphoides peltata

Photo: VTDEC. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

DescriptionYellow floating heart is a rooted aquatic plant. Clusters of leaves distinguish it from native heart-shaped floating leaf plants which never have more than one leaf per stem. Flowers, resembling squash blossoms, are bright yellow with five fringed petals.

General InformationYellow floating heart was introduced to North America from Eurasia in the 1940s as an ornamental pond plant. It grows in slow-moving streams, ponds and lakes up to a depth of four meters. Its dense growth can tangle swimmers, fishing tackle and boat motors. It spreads by seed and by floating fragments.

European Frog-bitHydrocharis morsus-ranae

Photo: Erich Haber, Wisconsin DNR. Drawing: R. Scribailo, Purdue University.

DescriptionEuropean frog-bit is a free-floating plant with clustered heart-shaped leaves. New growth sprouts from trailing runners, or stolons, and from turions, buds that lie dormant during the wintermonths. White flowers with three petals and yellow centers bloom in the summer.

General InformationEuropean Frog-bit is native to Europe. It was introduced to North America in the 1930s as an ornamental pond plant. It grows in dense mats that block light to native plants. As they decay these mats deplete oxygen needed by fish. They also impede recreational water activities like swimming, boating and fishing. European frog-bit has been reported in Vermont, New York and several Canadian provinces.

Variable WatermilfoilMyriophyllum heterophyllum

Photo: Roberta Hill, Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

DescriptionVariable watermilfoil is a submerged aquatic plant that has densely packed whorled leaves. It is usually found along the shorelines of lakes and ponds. Watermilfoil can grow in depths of up to 10-12 feet, forming dense mats near the surface of the water. The plant produces a spike-like flower that grows above the water’s surface from mid to late summer.

General InformationThis species of watermilfoil is known to exist in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut. It has been identified in a few Maine lakes. Variable watermilfoil grows very rapidly. It reproduces primarily by fragmentation. The plant can break apart very easily due to wave action produced by boats, swimmers or other animals. The introduction of one single fragment of this plant can result in the infestation of an entire lake. Once introduced into a lake, variable watermilfoil is

virtually impossible to eradicate. The impacts of an infestation have the potential to bedevastating. Dense mats of variable watermilfoil impair boating, fishing and swimming. Reduced lake water quality is another concern along with the potential decline of shorefront property values.

Curly-leaf PondweedPotamogeton crispus

Photo: Dennis Roberge, Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

DescriptionCurly-leaf pondweed is a submerged plant with strap-shaped leaves, similar to many of Maine 'snative pondweeds. However, unlike our native pondweeds, Curly-leaf pondweed leaves are distinctly ruffled with finely serrated edges. It grows in large dense beds.

General InformationCurly-leaf pondweed, a native plant of Europe and Asia, is a threat to lakes and ponds throughout the United States. This species was confirmed in a small pond in southwestern Maine in 2004. It is also present in nearby Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island.

Curly-leaf pondweed is adapted to growing in cool conditions. Plants sprout from rhizomes and turions (a hard vegetative bud) in the fall and grow through the winter, reaching maturity early in the season (late spring through early summer). Plants generally die back by mid-July after releasing seeds and more importantly the turions. Once released, the turions scatter, floating through the water and sinking to the bottom where they lie dormant until the water begins to cool again in the fall.

Eurasian WatermilfoilMyriophyllum spicatum L.

Photo: Maine DEP. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

DescriptionEurasian water-milfoil is a submerged plant with feather-like whorled leaves. It grows in extremely large dense mats in depths up to 15 feet. This plant produces a flower spike that emerges from the water's surface.

General InformationEurasian water-milfoil, a native plant of Europe and Asia, is a serious threat to lakes and ponds throughout the United States. This species of water-milfoil was first discovered in a small pond inMaine in 2003. It is also found in nearby Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and the Canadian Provinces.

Once introduced into a lake, Eurasian water-milfoil is virtually impossible to eradicate. It grows rapidly and aggressively, reproducing primarily through fragmentation. The introduction of one single fragment of this plant can result in the infestation of an entire lake.

The impacts of an infestation have the potential to be devastating. Dense mats of Eurasian water-milfoil impair boating, fishing, and swimming. Reduced lake water quality is another concern along with the potential decline of shorefront property values.

FanwortCabomba caroliniana

Photo: Maine DEP. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

DescriptionFanwort is a submerged plant with narrow leaves which resemble a fan arranged on a narrow stem. The majority of the plant is submerged. The small white flowers of fanwort emerge from the waters surface. Also characteristic to fanwort are the small lily-like leaves that float on the surface below the flowers.

General InformationFanwort has been in New England for over fifty years. Although it is not yet a problem in Maine, fanwort is a nuisance in neighboring New England states. This plant was commonly used in aquariums as an ornamental plant. It entered lakes and ponds when dumped from aquariums,

and it is also transferred from one lake to another via boat and trailer. Fanwort has the potential to quickly invade shorelines of lakes and ponds and impair recreational activities.

Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata

Photo: Maine DEP. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

DescriptionHydrilla is a submerged plant with long slender, branching stems. The leaves are small, strap-like, and pointed with tiny serrations along the outer margins. They are arranged in whorls of 4 - 8 along the stem. Hydrilla can easily be confused with Maine 's native waterweeds, however, only hydrilla forms small underground tubers. This plant produces tiny white flowers that rise to the surface on slender stalks. It grows in large dense beds.

General InformationHydrilla is a native to Africa and is considered the most problematic invasive plant in North America. Hydrilla was confirmed in a 46-acre lake in southwestern Maine in 2002. It is also present in nearby Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Hydrilla is a prolific weed that forms stems reaching up to 30 feet in length. It is able to dominate fresh water ecosystems quickly when fragmented by boat props and by way of winter buds, underground tubers and surface runners. The aquatic weed also tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions including low light levels, high or low nutrient waters, and freezing temperatures. Hydrilla can not only out-compete native aquatic plants, it can infest a lake more aggressively than variable water milfoil, the most common invasive plant established in Maine.

Parrot FeatherMyriophyllum aquaticum

Photo: Vic Ramey, University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

DescriptionParrot feather has two types of leaves: robust green wax-coated emergent leaves arranged in whorls around the stem and submersed leaves that may appear brown and decaying. Tiny whiteflowers grow in the leaf axils of emergent stems.

General InformationParrot feather is native to South America . It grows well in both fresh and mildly saline waters and can survive on dry banks and shores. Plants sprout from overwintering rhizomes in the spring. Thick growths of parrot feather may impede swimming, boating and fishing. Populations occur in New York and Rhode Island ; it is not known to be present in Maine.

European NaiadNajas minor

Photo: Don Cameron, Maine Natural Areas Program. Drawing: USDA NRSC.

DescriptionEuropean naiad grows tufts of spiny, stiff, arched leaves on stems that may be up to 2.5 meters long. Unlike native naiads, the serrations on European naiad leaves are visible without magnification. Spindle-shaped seeds grow in leaf axils; flowers are inconspicuous.

General InformationEuropean naiad was introduced to the United States from Europe in the early 1900s. It is a true annual, reproducing primarily by seed. Relatively small infestations may produce tens of millions of seeds that are dispersed on air and water currents. It has been confirmed in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts.

Water ChestnutTrapa natans L.

Photo: VTDEC. Drawing: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

DescriptionWater Chestnut has submerged leaves that are feather-like in appearance and are oppositely-paired along the stem. The floating leaves are triangular in shape.Its cord-like plant stems can reach lengths of up to 16 feet. Flowers appear in mid to late July, and the plant also produces a horned fruit, the "chestnut".

General InformationThis invasive aquatic plant was introduced from Europe into New York in the late 1800’s for its ornamental appearance. Its range has been limited to the Atlantic states, but this range is capable of expansion. Although it is not yet a problem in Maine, water chestnut is a major nuisance in nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut. The major means of dispersal is thought to be through ducks and geese. However, humans are also capable of transporting invasive aquatic plants from lake to lake.