Northern Snakehead Channa argus

1. Northern SnakeheadChannaargus

2. Native Areas • Russia • China • Korea • Used as food source in native regions

4. Where Northern Snakeheads were First Found

5. Imported Food=Major Problem • A man purchased two Northern Snakeheads to make a traditional soup • Man ended up just putting the fish in a tank • He later released the two snakeheads into a local pond

6. First Appearance of the Northern Snakehead • Crofton, Maryland is where the snakehead was first caught in May 2002 • It was caught in pond where the man confessed to releasing the two fish two years earlier

7. Crofton, Maryland

8. Later in the Summer of 2002 • A second adult snakehead was caught in the Crofton pond • A fisheries biologist and a angler caught about 12 juveniles in the same pond • This meant that the snakeheads were reproducing June July

9. How was the Crofton Problem Addressed • In August 2002 Fisheries Services treated the pond • DiquatDibromide and Glyphosate • Rotenone was added to the pond two weeks later

10. Characteristics • Sharp teeth • Larger and protruded jaw • Dorsal fin has 49-50 rays • Anal fin has 31-32 rays

11. Teeth and Jaws

12. Food (post-larvae/juveniles) • Post-larvae feed on plankton • Juveniles • Crustaceans • Fish larvae

13. Food (Adults) • Crustaceans • Frogs • Aquatic insects • Fish • Perch • Carp • Bream

15. Habitat • Slow moving water • Stagnant bodies of water • Muddy streams • Muddy substrate with vegetation • Bury themselves in the mud

16. Size • Maximum size- 33 inches • Males are usually larger then females • Males have a higher dorsal fin

17. Size

18. How Problems Start • Pets • Out grow tank • Placed in ponds • Food Market • Illegally import snakeheads for consumers

21. Questions?