Saylor, R.K., N.W.R. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. 2008. Northern snakehead Channa argus eradication in Piney and Little Piney creeks, Arkansas. More specifically, the northern snakehead is found in the lower Amur River basin, including the Ussuri River basin and Khanka Lake; the Sungari River in Manchuria; and, the Tungushka River at Khaborovsk, Russia. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. Fuller, P.L., Benson, A.J., Nunez, G., Fusaro, A., and Neilson, M. Fuller, P.L., Benson, A.J., Nunez, G., Fusaro, A., and Neilson, M., 2020, Morphological differences used for identification between the two are depicted here, Snakeheads (Pisces, Channidae) - A Biological Synopsis and Risk Assessment, US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for. 2004. Holt, L., and J. Farwick. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. Description of the Snakehead This species has the general characteristics that most species share, and elongated body with a long head. It has been introduced to other regions, where it is considered invasive. Both parents guard the nest of eggs from predation and continue to guard the hatched fry for several additional weeks (Courtenay and Williams 2004, Gascho Landis and Lapointe 2010). This content is currently not available in your region. In early October 2019, a fisherman caught a snakehead in Gwinnett County, Georgia, the first sighting of the fish in the state. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Channa argus are found here. It also seems to be adaptable to a wide range of aquatic environments, as evidenced by the spread of reproducing, introduced populations in Asia and. In Europe, the first report of the species was from Czechoslovakia in 1956.

1960. Snakeheads (Pisces: Channidae) -- A biological synopsis and risk assessment. Odenkirk, J. and S. Owens. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. China, Russia and Korea (Courtenay and Williams 2004). Trends in Ecology and Evolution 17: 386-391. Gainesville, Florida. 2010. Adult snakeheads feed almost exclusively on other fishes (>97% of diet), with the remainder of their diet composed of crustaceans, frogs, small reptiles, and sometimes small birds and mammals (Courtenay and Williams 2004; Saylor et al 2012). In summer, and in warmer conditions—which necessitates more oxygen—the fish solely breathes air though its suprabranchial organ. Mitrofanov. Lapointe, N.W.R., J.T. Thorson, and P.L. Lee, C.E. ), bream (Abramis spp. These predatory fishes may compete with native species for food and habitat. * HUCs are not listed for states where the observation(s) cannot be approximated to a HUC (e.g. Its scales have a mottled pattern of light and dark brown. Angermeier. All rights reserved. Juveniles can also wriggle their long, narrow bodies onto land, enabling them to travel from one pond or stream to another if needed. This aggressive fish is native to China, southern Siberia, and North Korea, where it is fished and occasionally raised for food. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. Angermeier. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 19:566-577. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. It has a somewhat flattened head with eyes located in a dorsolateral position on the anterior part of the head; anterior nostrils are present and tubular; dorsal and anal fins are elongated, and all fins are supported only by rays (Courtenay and Williams 2004). © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Channa argus has a special chamber adjacent to its gills called a suprabranchial organ. It can survive outside of water for up to four days. But it’s also been introduced around the world, including most recently, the United States, where the invasive species has caused environmental problems. 2005. Snakeheads are no ordinary fish. state centroids or Canadian provinces). The northern snakehead has been introduced into Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, eastern Europe, Japan, and the United States. Morphological differences used for identification between the two are depicted here. See our, Read a limited number of articles each month, You consent to the use of cookies and tracking by us and third parties to provide you with personalized ads, Unlimited access to washingtonpost.com on any device, Unlimited access to all Washington Post apps, No on-site advertising or third-party ad tracking. The northern snakehead fis… Effects of introduced species and salinization in the Aral Sea. Adult snakeheads show significant diet overlap with largemouth bass (, There is no evidence that juveniles or adult snakeheads escaped from the Crofton ponds. Such high genetic diversity among introduced populations can promote their establishment and spread (Lee 2002, Sanders 2010). Personal communication. Juveniles have a similar color and pattern as the adults. National control and management plan for the northern snakehead (Channa argus). The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The impact on fish stocks of river regulation in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. Snakeheads (family Channidae) are morphologically similar to the North American native Bowfin (Amia calva), and the two are often misidentified. For queries involving invertebrates, contact Amy Benson. Available http://www.iiseagrant.org/speciesregs/index1.asp?commonName=Northern+Snakehead Accessed 24 October 2011. Courtenay, W. R., Jr., and J. D. Williams. New York State Department of Environmental of Conservation.

2006. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134: 1605-1609. The rounded body of the adult northern snakehead is not as conducive to overland migration as observed in more horizontally flattened snakehead species. Snakeheads often make floating nests made of bits of vegetation to protect their eggs. First record of a northern snakehead (Channa argus Cantor) nest in North America. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 21:443-452. The Northern Snakehead is also very similar to the Burbot (Lota lota), another North American native fish species. Angermeier. Larvae experience rapid growth after their first two weeks, though overall individual growth rate in North American populations appears to be less than that in both native and introduced Asian populations (Gascho Landis et al. Parents defend their young for several weeks, and have even been known to attack people who get too close, like a Delaware boy whose hand was bit when he reached into a pond to investigate the shimmering color of a juvenile snakehead. The northern snakehead fish (Channa argus) has been identified as an invasive aquatic fish across the United States. of Environment and Natural Resources. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. Sanders, N.J. 2010. The northern snakehead (Channa argus) has a most unusual ability: It can breathe outside of the water, as well as within. Recognized as a highly injurious species, importation and cross-border transport of northern snakehead was prohibited in the U.S. by a 2002 listing under the Lacey Act and has been subsequently banned in Ontario. In Canada, Herberg et al.

Environmentalists are concerned the fish could spread to the Great Lakes, where they could wreak havoc to those sensitive ecosystems. North Carolina Dept. Present status of aquatic organisms introduced into Japan, in De Silva, S.S., ed., Exotic aquatic organisms in Asia—Proceedings of the Workshop on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia: Manila, Philippines. Amur snakehead, eastern snakehead, ocellated snakehead, snakehead. During times of drought, snakeheads generally burrow into the mud; however during rainstorms, they can more easily migrate.

Juveniles eat zooplankton, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and the fry of other fish. For queries involving fish, please contact Matthew Neilson. 2011). ), carp (Cyprinus carpio), perch (Perca fluviatilis), zander (Sander spp. Population-level traits that affect, and do not affect, invasion success. Gascho Landis, A.M., and N.W.R. Although the northern snakehead can survive up to four days out of the water, overland migration is only possible for juveniles (Courtenay and Williams 2004). Studies of the freshwater fishes of Japan, II, Special part. ), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), various catfishes, cray fish, dragonfly larvae, beetles, and frogs. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Hydrobiologia 661:123-131. Federal and many state laws dictates that snakeheads be killed if they are caught.

It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The fast-growing creatures are carnivorous, eating zooplankton when they are young, but quickly progressing to insects, small amphibians, and other fish. The Northern Snakehead Fish’ Main Traits Northern Snakehead fish have long, narrow bodieswith long dorsal fins and veins that resemble a snake’s body. Journal of the Faculty of Fisheries Prefectural University of Mie 4: 31-860. † Populations may not be currently present. Sea Grant Database of Aquatic Species Regulations. Northern Snakehead Working Group (NSWG). The northern snakehead (Channa argus) is known for being able to survive on land for days at a time. Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark, Eating the Invasive “Frankenfish” to Stop Its Spread, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/n/northern-snakehead.html, are adept at moving short distances on land, whose hand was bit when he reached into a pond, Read more: Fishermen battle invasive ‘frankenfish’ snakeheads, Maryland, for example, has an annual snakehead fishing derby. They can live for days out of the water. Their long dorsal fin, which runs much of the length of their body, and a powerful anal fin make them speedy swimmers. Potential pathway of introduction: Unauthorized intentional release from aquariums or live food markets, Specific impacts are unknown surrounding the Potomac population. Diet of non-native northern snakehead (Channa argus) compared to three co-occurring predators in the lower Potomac River, USA.