An American signal crayfish has been found at the mouth of The Leithen Water, a tributary of The Tweed.
And the find by an angler is causing real concern among the many from the Lothians and Borders and further afield who fish the river.
The crayfish has a voracious appetite, eating fish eggs, and it can obliterate fish stocks and destroy river banks.
Peter Reith, secretary for The Peeblesshire Trout Fishing Association, said the dead crayfish had been found last Saturday near the mouth of The Leithen Water in Innerleithen.
And the Tweed Foundation have confirmed that it is an American signal crayfish.
The distinguishing factor is that they have large claws he added: “This is an invasive species and if you see any of these in any of The Tweed tributaries please notify the Tweed Foundation or email peeblesshiretroutfishing@gmail.com
“Importantly, a licence is needed to remove live crayfish from the river.
“If anyone finds a live one then they should stamp on it and report their observation.”
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