Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Stockton CA/Sacramento River (1908, Cohen and Carlton 1995)
Geographic Extent
CA/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (1908,Cohen and Carlton 1995; 1983-2003; Brown and Michniuk 2007); Walnut Grove/CA/North Fork Mokelumne River (Cavallo et al. 2012); CA/Suisun Marsh (1997, Matern et al. 2002,, rare); CA/San Pablo Bay (Ganssle 1966, cited by Cohen and Carlton 1995, occasional in winter); CA/North Fork Mokelumne River, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (2010, Cavallo et al. 2013)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Fisheries Accidental (not Oyster) |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Competition | |
| Introductions of Bluegill and other introduced centrarchids are blamed for the virtual elimination of the Sacramento Perch (Archoplites interruptus), a native centrarchid, from its native habitats in California, through the Bluegill's aggressive behavior in feeding, nesting, and use of cover (Moyle 1976; Marchetti 1999; Moyle 2002). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Predation | |
| In the eastern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (North Fork Mokelumne River), experimental removal of predators (probably mostly Bluegill and Largemouth Bass), increased survival of tagged, migrating juvenile Chinook Salmon (Oncorynchus tshawytscha (Cavallo et al. 2013). | ||
| Economic Impact | Fisheries | |
| Bluegills are a very popular gamefish in California, but are prone to stunting due to rapid reproduction and crowding (Moyle 2002). | ||