| Snakehead fish became famous when wild and | | | | before he put it back into the water. He brought the |
| breeding specimens of this Asian predator was found | | | | photo to a government office in Annapolis, Maryland |
| in the United States. The fact that the Snakehead fish | | | | where it was identified as a Northern Snakehead - |
| can grow larger than one metre and is highly adapted | | | | Channa argus. The Crofton pond was examined and it |
| to low-oxygen waters and seasonal droughts naturally | | | | didn't take long before another adult Snakehead was |
| made the newspapers print article after article about | | | | found. One moth later, six immature Channa argus |
| this huge vicious predator fish that can breathe | | | | was discovered in the same pond, which proved that |
| oxygen from the air and travel vast distances on land. | | | | the Snakeheads liked the Maryland environment well |
| The Snakehead is however not a ferocious | | | | enough not only to survive, but to form breathing |
| baby-eater or pet dog attacker. There is a more | | | | populations as well. Biologists determined that it was |
| sensible reason behind the Snakehead bans that were | | | | very unlikely that the immature Snakeheads were |
| eventually issued by many of the U.S. states. Since the | | | | aquarium breed, since they were no larger than 5 |
| Snakehead is a very capable predator that is not | | | | centimeters (2 inches). During July 2002, more than 100 |
| native to the U.S. fauna, it might severely disrupt the | | | | small and immature Snakeheads were removed from |
| ecosystem in regions where it is introduced. It can for | | | | the Crofton pond. |
| instance compete with American predators for food | | | | The Maryland authorities launched a two-step process |
| or pose a treat to already endangered species that it | | | | that they hoped would eradicate the Snakeheads |
| perceives as prey. | | | | from the Maryland fauna. Two potent herbicides were |
| Snakeheads are also known as Channa fish since | | | | introduced to the Crofton pond, and the decaying plant |
| they belong to the family Channa. The family Channa | | | | material soon caused the oxygen levels to drop |
| contains a wide range of different Snakehead species, | | | | significantly. During the second part of the eradication |
| e.g. Channa nox (Night Snakehead ), Channa asiatica | | | | process, piscicide aiming directly at the fish were used |
| (Chinese Snakehead) and Channa amphibeus (Chel | | | | and large amounts of dead fish were removed from |
| Snakehead). Their native habitats are found in Asia | | | | the waters. Since Snakeheads can breathe oxygen |
| and Africa. Another name for Snakehead fish is | | | | from the air and wiggle their way over land, the whole |
| Frankenfish. It is possible to keep Snakeheads in | | | | region around the Crofton pond was observed but not |
| aquariums, but you should always find out how large | | | | escaping Snakeheads were spotted. Biologists were |
| the Snakehead species that you are interested in will | | | | afraid that Snakeheads would manage to escape to a |
| grow before you buy it. Snakeheads grow very fast | | | | nearby river - the Little Patuxent River that is located |
| and some species will grow larger than one meter, | | | | only 23 meters (75 feet) from the Crofton pond. The |
| which makes them unsuitable for most hobbyist | | | | Little Patuxent River was explored, but no |
| aquariums. It is believed that the wild and breeding | | | | Snakeheads were found. After a few weeks, the |
| Snakeheads that were found in the United States | | | | water quality in the Crofton pond returned to normal. |
| originated from Snakeheads that had been released | | | | Since this first discovery in Maryland, more |
| by their owners when the Snakeheads grew to large | | | | Snakeheads have however been found in several |
| for their aquarium or when they required more food | | | | American states. In Asia, Snakeheads inhabit |
| than the aquarists was willing to pay for. In Asia, the | | | | quagmires, slow moving waters and densely grown |
| Snakehead is a very popular food fish and another | | | | puddles and ponds where they feed chiefly on fish, |
| rumor tells the story about the Asian immigrant that | | | | crustaceans and insects. Similar habitats with suitable |
| imported a Snakehead to the United States to prepare | | | | prey exist in many parts of the United States, and the |
| a traditional Asian remedy for his sick sister. The sister | | | | Snakehead could therefore become a permanent part |
| did however recover before the fish reached him, and | | | | of the fauna and cause severe disruption or the |
| he deicide to spare its life and release it into the wild. | | | | ecosystems. Wild Snakeheads have already been |
| The Snakehead craze began in 2002 when a | | | | found in California, Florida, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, |
| fisherman caught a Snakehead in Crofton. He | | | | Maine and Hawaii. In Florida and California, the |
| practiced catch and release, but since he didn't | | | | populations were established and breeding. |
| recognize the fish he had caught he photographed it | | | | |