An invasive Asian fish that can breathe air, survive on land for days, and tolerate brackish water. Devastating to native fish in invaded systems — they're voracious predators.

Also called: Snakehead, Frankenfish (media nickname)

Native status: Non-native (East Asia); invasive in eastern US

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 60–120 cm; record 150 cm
Weight2–10 kg typical; record 13.6 kg
LifespanWild 8–15 years
OrderAnabantiformes
FamilyChannidae

§ Encyclopedia

The northern snakehead is a species of snakehead fish native to temperate East Asia, in China, Russia, North Korea, and South Korea. Their natural range goes from the Amur River watershed in Siberia and Manchuria down to Hainan. It is an important food fish and one of the most cultivated in its native region, with 510,000 tonnes annual production worldwide. Due to this, the northern snakehead has been exported throughout the world and has managed to establish non-native populations in Central Asia and North America. In the United States, it is found in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi.

Source: Wikipedia — Northern snakehead Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Long cylindrical fish with snake-like head, long dorsal fin extending most of body length, mottled brown-tan coloration with darker patches; large mouth with sharp canine teeth.

Similar species. Native Bowfin (similar shape; longer history in US; native). Burbot (different head). Pike (different fin structure).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Voracious predator: fish, frogs, crayfish, small mammals, ducklings. Will eat anything that fits in mouth.

Behavior. Native to East Asia (China, Russia); first found in US in 2002 in Crofton, MD pond (apparently released from live-fish food market). Has since spread through Potomac and other Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Can survive out of water for days breathing air through a primitive lung structure; can wriggle short distances over wet ground to colonize new water bodies. Strict no-release policy: if caught, anglers are required to kill the fish immediately. Listed as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act.

§ Range

Native to Asia; invasive in Chesapeake watershed and Mississippi River

§ Habitat

Slow rivers, ponds, marshes

§ Threats

In invaded range: native fish prey loss, native predator displacement.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the northern snakehead is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Don't release aquarium snakeheads. Report snakehead sightings to state agencies. Harvest and kill (don't release) when caught.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • USFWS Injurious Wildlife (Lacey Act)
  • IUCN Red List 2010