If the infestation is believed to be limited to a few individuals the above techniques may be successful in removing the target organisms. Physical removal of the fish using nets, traps, angling, electrofishing or biological control by introduction of predators are not likely to be successful for large infestations. MANAGEMENT : The potential control methods for a snakehead infestation are limited, but vary with each specific infestation site. This unique adaptation and their ability to travel over land to new bodies of water by wiggling their bodies over the ground, gives the snakehead a competitive edge over other fishes in securing habitat and expanding its range. Snakeheads have the ability to breathe air by using an air bladder that works as a primitive lung, allowing them to survive for up to four days out of the water they can survive for even longer periods of time burrowed in the sediment. As adults, they become voracious predators, feeding on other fish, crustaceans, frogs, small reptiles, and even birds and mammals. Juveniles feed on zooplankton, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and the fry of other fish. Like most other invasive species, these predatory fish compete with native species for food and habitat. RISKS/IMPACTS : The impact northern snakeheads will have on U.S. In 2002, the import and interstate transport of the northern snakehead was banned without a permit from the U.S. Uninformed pet owners may have also released snakeheads into the wild when they grew too big for aquarium tanks, or as part of religious or cultural practices. This fish is popular in the Asian food market and most introductions were likely released for this purpose. It is feared that recent flooding allowed the species to spread into the nearby White River, which would allow for the eventual population of the fish in the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers.īefore their threat was fully appreciated, live snakeheads were openly sold in the United States in pet shops and live fish markets. In 2008, the northern snakehead was found in drainage ditches in Arkansas, as a result of a commercial fish farming accident. Specimens have been collected from a lake within a New York park two ponds outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania a pond in Massachusetts and reservoirs in California and North Carolina. The northern snakehead has also been reported in Florida, where it may be established. Despite these efforts, in 2004 it was confirmed that snakeheads had become established in the Potomac River. This population was eradicated by state biologists using chemical treatments. In 2002, this species was discovered in a pond in Crofton, Maryland. In the United States, the snakehead was first discovered in 1977 within Silverwood Lake, California. PATHWAYS/HISTORY : The northern snakehead is native to areas of China, Russia, and Korea. The bowfin can be distinguished by a rounded tail, no scales on its head, and an eyespot near the tail in males. The burbot can be distinguished from the northern snakehead by a split dorsal fin, and a single barbell on the lower jaw. Northern snakeheads look similar to the native burbot and bowfin. Snakehead change color as they mature younger fish may be gold-tinted brown to pale gray in color, while older fish are generally dark brown with large black blotches. As the name implies, the scaled head of the fish looks like a snake and includes a large mouth with sharp teeth and protruding lower jaws. It has a somewhat flattened head with eyes located in a dorsolateral position on the anterior part of the head tubular anterior nostrils elongated dorsal and anal fins and a truncated tail. DESCRIPTION : The northern snakehead has a long, thin body that can grow to 47 inches and 15 pounds.
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