Download - Northern Snakehead Channa argus
Northern SnakeheadChanna argus
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Used as food source in native regions
Native Areas
Where Northern Snakeheads were First Found
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
Imported Food=Major Problem
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
First Appearance of the Northern Snakehead
Crofton, Maryland
Later in the Summer of 2002
June July
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
In August 2002 Fisheries Services treated the pond◦ Diquat Dibromide and Glyphosate
◦ Rotenone was added to the pond two weeks later
How was the Crofton Problem Addressed
Sharp teeth Larger and protruded jaw Dorsal fin has 49-50 rays Anal fin has 31-32 rays
Characteristics
Post-larvae feed on plankton
Juveniles◦ Crustaceans◦ Fish larvae
Food (post-larvae/juveniles)
Crustaceans Frogs Aquatic insects Fish
◦ Perch◦ Carp◦ Bream
Food (Adults)
Slow moving water Stagnant bodies of water Muddy streams Muddy substrate with vegetation Bury themselves in the mud
Habitat
Maximum size- 33 inches
Males are usually larger then females
Males have a higher dorsal fin
Size
Size
How Problems Start Pets
◦ Out grow tank◦ Placed in ponds
Food Market◦ Illegally import snakeheads
for consumers
Questions?