Stone moroko (Pseudorasbora parva)

Invasive?

The stone moroko originates from river systems in East Asia, it was unintentionally first imported to Romania via eggs in 1960. It is insensitive to temperature fluctuations and tolerates low O2 levels in the water, therefore it is considered very adaptable which is an advantage over native species. It has a negative impact on other fish and amphibian species due to competition for food and spawn predation. The stone moroko selectively eats larger zooplankton species (Crustacea), which leads to increased phytoplankton density and thus favors the eutrophication of water bodies.

Where?

It occurs both on the shore zones of still waters and in flowing waters, it prefers summer warmed zones and plant-rich waters.

Appearance?

The stone moroko is a small fish species and rarely grows larger than 10 cm. The scales are metallic shimmering, and along the body side, especially in young fish a black-blue stripe.

Distribution in Luxembourg: https://neobiota.lu/pseudorasbora-parva/