In addition to the ongoing problem of algae blooms, for years Lake Erie has been impacted by the invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) (Bunnell et al., 2005). Having been introduced in the early to mid-90’s as a result of ship ballast water, the invasive Round Goby has had both positive and negative impacts on the Lake Erie ecosystem (State of Michigan) because of a complex relationship with native and other invasive species. Being able to change its diet based on available food sources, as well as being competitive, makes Round Goby a successful invader to the Lake Erie ecosystem (Sea Grant).
The primary food source of Round Goby in Lake Erie has been Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), since their introduction (Bunnell et al., 2005). Zebra Mussels have contributed to the success of Round Goby in Lake Erie, being an abundant food source, and invasive Round Goby have helped in preying on this invasive mussel species. Even though Round Goby prey upon Zebra Mussels, this alone does not help with removing the population of invasive Zebra Mussels, which negatively impacts the phytoplankton (Sea Grant). With Round Goby successfully surviving off of Zebra Mussels, Round Goby themselves have been a food source for native fish species such as Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) (Bunnell et al., 2005), walleye, and trout (Sea Grant). Many times when people think of invasive species they only see them as destroying the native ecosystem, but the invasive Round Goby has also positively impacted the Lake Erie ecosystem in a way that some native species have been declared to no longer be endangered, such as the Lake Erie Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon insularum) (Bunnell et al., 2005).
While the invasive Round Goby is thriving in Lake Erie because of abundant food source of Zebra Mussels, they also compete with native fish species for prey and use native fish as another food source. One case in which Round Goby are negatively impacting native fish species is that they compete with native fish, such as Sculpins (Sea Grant), darters and logperch (Bunnell et al, 2005) which has a negative impact on native fish populations. Round Goby have also been found to use small native fish as a food source, in addition to Zebra Mussels, such as sculpins, darters, and logperch in which they also compete with for food (Sea Grant).
Invasive Round Goby have been successful in negatively impacting the Lake Erie ecosystem and native fish populations, and because of this successful establishment, there has been little to no success in removing Round Goby. One way to manage invasive Round Goby is to make sure that they do not spread to new watershed ecosystems, where methods such as electrical and chemical barriers may be used (Bunnell et al, 2005). There is also importance in preventing the spread of other invasive species by having regulations on ballast water in waterways, so that non-native species do not get dumped into an ecosystem, potentially to become an invasive species population (Sea Grant).
Since the introduction of the invasive Round Goby into Lake Erie, both native species and non-native fish species have both been positively and negatively impacted as a result of complex relationships. Round Goby have been successful in the Lake Erie ecosystem because of readily available food sources of invasive Zebra Mussels and native fish populations, reducing populations of native fish species. Careful considerations need to be made in following regulations on dumping ballast water in watersheds as well as human stocking introductions of species in order to prevent non-native species from establishing and reducing native species.
Bunnell, David B, et al. “Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.” Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences – 62(1):15 – PDF, 2005, https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f04-172.
Lydersen, Kari. “The Round Goby, an Uninvited Resident of the Great Lakes, Is Doing Some Good.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 27 May 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/us/27cncgoby.html.
Mychek-Londer, Justin G, et al. “Ecological Impacts Of Invasive Round Goby (Neogobius Melanostomus) In The Laurentian Great Lakes And Beyond: Summary Of Presentations At IAGLR 2014.” Lake Scientist, 19 Nov. 2014, https://www.lakescientist.com/ecological-impacts-invasive-round-goby-neogobius-melanostomus-laurentian-great-lakes-beyond-summary-presentations-iaglr-2014/.
Ray, William J., and Lynda D. Corkum. “Predation of Zebra Mussels by Round Gobies, Neogobius Melanostomus.” SpringerLink, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Nov. 1997, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1007379220052.
“Round Gobies Invade North America.” Minnesota Sea Grant, http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/gobies_invade.
“Status and Strategy for Round Goby Management.” State of Michigan , https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/wrd-ais-neogobius-melanostomus_499884_7.pdf.
What Are the Current Pressures Impacting Lake Erie. 2005, https://archive.epa.gov/solec/web/pdf/erie.pdf.
“Zebra Mussels Threaten Inland Waters: Minnesota Sea Grant.” Zebra Mussels Threaten Inland Waters | Minnesota Sea Grant, http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/zebramussels_threaten.