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| NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |
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Common Name: ide
Synonyms and Other Names: orfe, silver orfe, golden orfe, golden ide
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification: Distinguishing characteristics and photographs or illustrations appeared in Berg (1949), Muus and Dahlstrom (1978), Wheeler (1978), Phillips and Rix (1985), Ladiges and Vogt (1986), and Smith (1995). Also refer to Page and Burr (1991). Another name used in some of the earlier literature is Idus idus.
Size: 102 cm.
Native Range:
Native from northern Europe through Siberia (Berg 1949; Robins et al. 1991b).
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Interactive maps: Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean
Nonindigenous Occurrences: This species was introduced to a private pond in East Lyme Township, New London County, Connecticut (Whitworth et al. 1968; Whitworth 1996). It was discovered in a private pond in Holden, Penobscot County, Maine in late March 1983 (Courtenay et al. 1984; Page and Burr 1991). In Maryland,
it was introduced into the Potomac River near Baltimore and Washington,
D.C., and possibly into the Monocacy River (McDonald 1893; Schwartz
1963; Lee et al. 1976, 1980 et seq.; Starnes 2003). Silvio O. Conte
National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Massachusetts (USFWS 2005). This species was unsuccessfully stocked in Nebraska in 1884 (Morris et al. 1974). It was recorded from New York
(Bean 1903); the earlier introduction was in Long Island, and it was
collected in the Chenango River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River,
between Hamilton and Norwich, New York, in the early 1950s (Courtenay
et al. 1984) and also Cortland County ca. 1954 (Courtenay, personal
communication). It has been reported from several ponds in Pennsylvania
including sites in Delaware and York counties; there also were
unconfirmed records from other private waters of that state (Lee et al.
1980 et seq.; Cooper 1983; Courtenay et al. 1984). This species was
introduced to a pond off the Clinch River, Tennessee (Saylor, personal communication). It was reportedly stocked in Texas
during the late 1800s and collected in Cottle, Grayson, and Red River
Counties (Howells 1992a; Red River Authority of Texas 2001). The
species has been recorded from the Potomac River and possibly other
areas of Virginia (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994; also see Smith and Bean 1899; Starnes 2003).
There are reports of introductions of this species into un-specified waters of the following states in the early1890s: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, New Jersey, and North Carolina (U.S Fish Commission Reports for 1893 and 1894).
Means of Introduction: The ide was first imported in 1877 by the U.S. Fish Commission (Baird 1879). It has been stocked intentionally by the U.S. Fish Commission (historically), and by a state agency (recently), and through escapes from commercial and government ponds (Lee et al. 1980 et seq.). In 1889, an estimated 20 ide, along with other foreign cyprinids, escaped into the Potomac River from fish ponds in Washington, D.C., during a flood event (McDonald 1893). Similarly, Schwartz (1963) stated that it may have escaped from commercial ponds at Thurmont, Maryland into the Monocacy River; but he did not provide a date nor other details. Ide were also consigned to applicants in Virginia from 1892 to 1894 (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). According to Courtenay et al. (1984, 1986), the U.S. Fish Commission gave no specific reason for importing and distributing this species, although they assumed that the intended use was both as an ornamental and food fish. Bean (1903) indicated that this species was introduced into American ponds for ornamental purposes. Schwartz (1963) stated that it may have escaped from commercial ponds at Thurmont, Maryland into the Monocacy River; but he did not provide a date or other details. Reports of ide culture in Arkansas are incongruous. Fletcher and Hallock (1992) reported that Arkansas fish farmers were raising ide for bait in the early 1990s. However, recent discussions with University of Arkansas personnel, fish farmers, and other local experts indicate there are no known records of ide culture in Arkansas and that they are doubtful the the species was ever raised commercially there (N. Stone, Univ. of Ark., pers. comm., 2005). In the early 1980s this species was reportedly being used as a bait fish in Tennessee (Courtenay et al. 1984, 1986). Because this species is sometimes misidentified as goldfish, Courtenay et al. (1984) argued that there was an increased probability of its spread and possible establishment.
Status: The ide has been recorded from nine states, but the documentation of its true status in the United States is poor and often contradictory. Courtenay and Stauffer (1990), Courtenay et al. (1991) and Courtenay (1993) listed it as established in Maine; Page and Burr (1991) stated that the species is locally established in a pond in Maine. However, in some early accounts the only known Maine population was thought to have been eradicated (e.g., Courtenay et al. 1984, 1986). In fact, Courtenay et al. (1986) stated that the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife eradicated the population in May 1983. According to Whitworth et al. (1968) one small pond in Connecticut has maintained a population since 1962 or 1963; Schmidt (1986) also listed L. idus as introduced to lowland lacustrine habitat in the Connecticut River drainage. Subsequently, Courtenay et al. (1984, 1986) and Whitworth (1996) stated that the population in Connecticut had been eradicated. It was formerly established in one or a few water bodies in Pennsylvania and New York; however, according to Courtenay et al. (1984, 1986), those populations are no longer extant. The fish that escaped from Washington, D.C. ponds in 1889 apparently persisted for some time. That escape also apparently resulted in the species being listed as occurring in several states along Potomac River, including Virginia and Maryland. Although the literature seems to suggest that the ide population in the Potomac was self sustaining, it is not known when ide actually disappeared completely from the Potomac drainage. For instance, Schwartz (1963) apparently considered the ide to be established in the Potomac River; and Hocutt et al. (1986) listed it as introduced to the Potomac River. However, Musick (1972) doubted that this species still survived there, and Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) also concluded that there was no evidence indicating the ide persists in the Potomac drainage. Stockings of this species during the late 1800s were unsuccessful in both Nebraska (Morris et al. 1974) and Texas (Howells 1992a). There is only a single record documenting its occurrence in open waters of Tennessee (Saylor, personal communication). Howells (1992a) indicated that the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries (i.e., the U.S. Fish Commission) distributed the species to private individuals for introduction, but the actual introduction sites are largely unrecorded. The species never became established in Texas and has not been reported since their original introduction (Howells 1992a).
Impact of Introduction: Unknown. Seeley (1962) recommended against the introduction of the ide into California. Based on his review of the literature, he indicated the species had the potential of becoming established in state rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and also of entering brackish and estuarine waters. Because of its tolerance to a wide range of conditions, Seeley believed that it had the potential of becoming more of a problem than either goldfish or common carp.
Remarks: In its native range, the ide is migratory and found in both freshwater and brackish water habitats (Muus and Dahlstrom 1978). The fish typically prey on larval and adult insects, snails, and other invertebrates; larger individuals also take small fish (Phillips and Rix 1985). The golden orfe or golden ide is a domestic form with portions of the body and fins pinkish-gold or red-orange. This colorful variety has received some degree of attention as an ornamental pond fish since its first introduction into this country near the turn of the century (e.g., Bean 1896, 1903). This specie still is occasionally kept in garden ponds, sometimes in combination with goldfish and koi, or with other orfe varieties, such as the blue orfe (Smith 1995). Dill and Cordone (1997) stated that this fish is not known to have been introduced into wild waters of California; however, they also indicated that the domesticated form, the golden orfe, has been present in garden pools and commercial aquaculture facilities in that state for a number of years.
Starnes, W. 2003. Current diversity, historical analysis, and biotic integrity of fishes in the lower Potomac Basin in the vicinity of Plummers Island Maryland. Contribution to the Natural History of Plummers Island, Maryland. XXVII. 71 pp.
USFWS 2005. National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species. http://www.nwrinvasives.com/index.asp
Other Resources:
Global Invasive Species Database Factsheet
Author: Leo Nico and Pam Fuller
Revision Date: 3/31/2005 Citation for this information:
Leo Nico and Pam Fuller. 2010. Leuciscus idus. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=557> Revision Date: 3/31/2005
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