By: Andrew Marmo NORTHERN SNAKEHEAD CHANNA ARGUS

NORTHERN SNAKEHEAD Freshwater fish family – Channidae Is an obilgate air breather Allows it to live outside of water for up to several days Native to China and possibly Korea and Russia Prefer stagnant water with mud substrate & aquatic vegetation or slow muddy streams Primarily piscivorous Build spawning nests in aquatic vegetation Considered highly invasive

INTRODUCTION TO U.S. First discovered in a pond in Crofton, Maryland in 2002 Pond was drained – 2 adults and over 100 small fish found and destroyed Considered to be a threat to the Chesapeake Bay watershed Introduced through fish markets Have also been found in: PA, NY, MA, NC, FL, AK, CA A new concern –spreading close to the Great Lakes

IMPACT OF NORTHERN SNAKEHEAD Competes for food and habitat Preys on native species Juveniles – pray on zooplankton, insect larvae & crustaceans Adults become voracious predators – pray on other fish, crustaceans, frogs, reptiles, even birds and mammals

MANAGEMENT Control methods vary with each specific infestation site Physical removal is not likely to be successful for large infestations For limited infestations physical removal may be possible

REFERENCES Pasko, Susan. United States Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Northern Snakehead., Web. 23 Apr United States Department of Agriculture. Aquatic Species., Web. 23 Apr