Invasive Devil Fish Threatens Belize’s Rivers
There’s a new underwater threat lurking in our rivers, and no, it’s not from a sci-fi movie. It’s called the Devil Fish, or Pez Diablo, and it’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons. This armored catfish isn’t native to Belize. It slipped in through the Rio Hondo from Mexico and is now spreading through the already stressed New River. And the damage? It’s real. These fish gobble up food meant for native species, dig into riverbanks causing erosion, and even knock down trees. They’re literally reshaping the river, and not in a good way. To make matters worse, they can survive on land for hours, giving them even more chances to spread. The Department of the Environment is sounding the alarm: don’t move them, don’t introduce them elsewhere. The full impact is still being studied, but this is one fish Belize doesn’t want swimming around.
Facebook Comments