Northern Snakehead

The northern snakehead is a tubular, stealthy fish with a robust head and a powerful jaw used to capture prey.

This species has the ability to gulp air and absorb oxygen through a modified swim bladder that functions much like a lung, which allows the snakehead to travel across land to move into new bodies of water.

Diet

Primarily a piscivore, this voracious fish will eat anything it can fit into its mouth.

Size

Large specimens can reach about a meter in length and weigh close to 20 pounds.

Range

Native to China and parts of Korea. It first appeared in the U.S. as an invasive species in Crofton, Maryland, and now can be found from New York to Florida, and is starting to move out west.

Population Status

This species is considered invasive and is illegal to release back into native waters if captured.

Predators

Juveniles are consumed by larger predatory fish and waterfowl. Adults have no natural predators, which is causing big problems for native species. There is a local movement to get snakehead onto restaurant menus to help manage the population.

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