Need to fight invasive fish? Just introduce a scary robot

Invasive mosquitofish are a menace to tadpoles and other amphibian communities worldwide.

Researchers from NYU Tandon are trying out a new tactic to combat these invasive fish: by introducing a robot disguised as a mosquitofish predator. A new study published in iScience by the research group, which includes NYU Tandon's Institute Professor and Center for Urban Science + Progress member Maurizio Porfiri, showed that the simple presence of a predator was enough to change mosquitofish behavior, and benefit tadpoles in the process. 

While the study alone isn't a solution to this problem, researchers can figure out weaknesses and other factors to further understand how to fight against this invasive fish.