First record of the invasive Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii (Gobiiformes: Odontobutidae) in Finland

Authors

• Henry Pihlström University of Helsinki
• Sanna Kuningas Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
• Juhani A. Salmi Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
• Janne Granroth University of Helsinki

Abstract

In recent decades, the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii, a freshwater fish originally from eastern Asia, has become an invasive species in many parts of Europe. Here, we describe the first record of this species from Finland. A probably deliberately introduced population, which is living in a small pond in Southwest Finland, was discovered in 2022. The population appears to be established, and the presence of juveniles suggests that the fishes are reproducing.