Northern Snakehead

Scientific name: Channa argus

Common name: Northern Snakehead

Native To: As a family, snakeheads are native to parts of Asia and Africa. The Northern Snakehead is native to China, and possibly Korea and Russia.

Date of U.S. Introduction: First discovered in MD in 2002

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Video: Snakehead in the Potomac River (or click Play button below)

Means of Introduction: Released from fish markets

Impact: Preys on native species

Current U.S. Distribution: Current Snakehead sightings distribution (updated daily); (Map)

Management Plans: Aquatic Species / Snakehead

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations
• Press Releases
• Federal Register Notices
• News

Channa argus
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Channa argus Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Snakehead: The Newest Aquatic Invader - Invasive Species Program (Jul 2002; PDF | 4.67 MB)
DOI. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Recognizing Northern Snakehead (Sep 2003; PDF | 336 KB)
DOI. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts

Snakeheads (Pisces, Channidae) - A Biological Synopsis and Risk Assessment (Mar 2004)
DOI. United States Geological Survey.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Legal Aspects

Channa argus - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database
DOI. Florida Integrated Science Center. Center for Aquatic Resource Studies.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Distribution; Special Notes: Includes references and links to other resources and Distribution by county

Northern Snakehead
DOI. Florida Integrated Science Center.
Photographs

Northern Snakehead Fish and Northern Snakehead Information - Crofton
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Controls; Special Note: Includes Snakehead Scientific Advisory Panel First Report to the Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources (Jul 26, 2002)

Questions and Answers about the Snakehead Fish
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Identification/Description; Photographs

Northern Snakehead
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Identification/Description; Photographs

Snakehead Alert (PDF | 657 KB)
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Legal Aspects

Snakehead Fish Information
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts

Northern Snakehead
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (Canada).
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Impacts; Distribution

Snakehead - Species Summary
FishBase.org.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Illustration; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion

Channa argus (fish) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Northern Snakehead - Hot Topics Series
Cambridge Scientific Abstracts.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Research

Channa argus
Discover Life.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

USGS Confirms Snakeheads in NYC Lake (Aug 2, 2005)
DOI. United States Geological Survey.

DNR Proposes Modified Snakehead Fish Regulations (Sep 29, 2004)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Count of Snakehead Fish Caught in Potomac Rising (Jul 9, 2004)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

DNR and Bass Pro Partner to Provide Rewards for Anglers Catching Snakeheads (Jul 1, 2004)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Public Hearing For Snakehead Regulations July 7 (Jun 30, 2004)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Sixth and Seventh Snakehead Fish Caught In Potomac (Jun 25, 2004)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Sixth Snakehead Caught in Potomac River Tributary (Jun 18, 2004)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Fifth Northern Snakehead Fish Caught In Potomac River (Jun 3, 2004)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Another Snakehead Fish Caught in Potomac River (May 27, 2004)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Agencies Coordinate to Assess Snakehead Problem (May 26, 2004)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Virginia Sets Up Snakehead Fish Hotline: 1-800-770-4951 (May 20, 2004)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Tournament Fisherman Turns in Fourth Snakehead (May 18, 2004)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

DNR Fisheries Service To Post Signs Advising Anglers To Kill And Report Northern Snakehead Fish Caught Action necessary after another snakehead caught May 12 (May 14, 2004)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Snakehead Fish Found in Virginia Waters (May 10, 2004)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Single Northern Snakehead Fish Found in Wheaton Regional Park’s Pine Lake (Apr 29, 2004)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Arrest Made for Possession, Sale of Snakehead Fish (Feb 27, 2003)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Import Restrictions on Live Snakehead Fish, Eggs, is Effective Friday, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces (Oct 3, 2002)
DOI. Fish and Wildlife Service.

DNR to Apply Neutralizing Agent to Crofton Pond (Sep 17, 2002)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

DNR Completes Rotenone Application; More Than a 120 Snakehead Fish Dead (Sep 4, 2002)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Board to Consider Prohibition of Snakehead Fish (Aug 12, 2002)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

DNR Secretary Fox Announces Course of Action for Snakehead Fish (Aug 6, 2002)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Snakehead Scientific Advisory Panel: Report Recommends Common Herbicides And A Pesticide To Eradicate Fish From Crofton Pond (Jul 26, 2002)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Interior Secretary Norton Proposes Ban on Importation of Snakehead Fish (Jul 23, 2002)
DOI. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Maryland Snakehead Fish Scientific Advisory Panel Assembled, First Meeting Planned (Jul 16, 2002)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

DNR Officials Identify Source of Snakehead Fish (Jul 11, 2002)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Florida Biologist Identifies Juvenile Fish Caught in Crofton Pond as Northern Snakehead (Jul 10, 2002)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Northern Snakehead Fish Information (Jul 2002)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

New Exotic Fish Now Present in Florida's Freshwater System (Mar 22, 2001)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Injurious Wildlife Species; Snakeheads (family Channidae)
Federal Register: Oct 4, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 193)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adds all species of snakehead fishes in the Channidae family to the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.
DATES: This rule is effective Oct 4, 2002.

Injurious Wildlife Species; Snakeheads (family Channidae)
Federal Register: Jul 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 144)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to amend 50 CFR 16.13 to add snakeheads (family Channidae) to the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. This listing would have the effect of prohibiting the interstate transportation and importation of any live animal or viable egg of snakeheads into the United States.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before Aug 26, 2002.

Northern Snakehead Coverage, 2004
Maryland Invasive Species Council.

Snakehead Fish - Archived News
Baltimore Sun.

Snakeheads: Special Reports
Washington Post.