An alien species, the Mozambique were introduced for aquaculture and probably descended from as few as five fish. This species has out-survived other fishes because of its high tolerance, up to 120 ppt for salinity. The Mozambique Tilapia seen with bluish coloration in the mouth and a red edging on the dorsal and caudal fin. It is common to see fishermen at the north end of the lake filling their coolers with tilapia for resale in Los Angeles. High populations of Mozambique Tilapia are still found and caught. High algae blooms, caused by agricultural runoff, and increased salinity have eliminated nearly all of the introduced species in this once diverse fishery. Today, the sea only supports Mozambique Tilapia and the native Desert Pupfish. The Salton Sea once thrived with stocked populations of Corvina and other popular saltwater species. Even further into the historical record, when sea levels were higher and before silt created a division, the valley was part of the Gulf of California. If we go back another 500 years there existed a much larger freshwater lake in the valley called Lake Cahuilla with high populations of bonytail, striped mullet, and razorback sucker which supplied local peoples with food. The sea came into existence when the Colorado River was accidentally diverted into the valley in 1905. Fish diversity in the sea has seen several dramatic shifts. The Salton Sea, as we know it, is a modern feature.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |