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| Northern Snakehead |
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| Photos courtesy of Joe Perillo, Philadelphia Water Department |
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| Snakeheads are a diverse family of fish native to parts of China, Russia, and Korea.
Northern
snakeheads were 1st confirmed in Pennsylvania in July 2004 after an angler caught and preserved two from the 17-acre Meadow Lake in
Philadelphia county. PFBC biologists confirmed they were indeed northern snakeheads and captured
additional ones from the lake. The lake is part of a maze of interconnected embayments and tidal sloughs and the Commission believes additional snakeheads are likely
present elsewhere in the system, including the nearby lower Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers.
Northern snakeheads first drew attention in the mid-Atlantic region in 2002 when a pair were
discovered in a Maryland pond. They have
been found in Florida, North Carolina, California and Massachusetts.
Northern snakeheads are a predatory fish and will compete with other fish species for forage
and habitat. It is too early to say what impact the presence of snakeheads will have on other
species already in Meadow Lake and other waters.
Partly based on the experiences of other states, Commission biologists have concluded that
there is no practical method for eradicating snakeheads from Meadow Lake and given the
nature of the waterway snakeheads may have already accessed adjoining waters. The PFBC has
decided that while it will continue to monitor the pond and surrounding waterways, it will take
no concerted effort to eliminate the species. |
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| IDENTIFICATION |
| All snakeheads are distinguished by their torpedo shaped body, long dorsal and anal fins without
spines, and toothed jaws. Northern snakeheads are typically distinguished by a flattened,
pointy head with long lower jaws.
Northern snakeheads can be confused with native Pennsylvania species like the bowfin and burbot. One way of identifying bowfin from snakeheads is to view the tops of their heads. Bowfin have no scales on their head; snakeheads have scales on their head with a scale pattern that is more interlocked or mosaic-like in its pattern—similar to a snake. Burbots have a single barbel (whisker) on the chin and the presence of two dorsal fins. Neither bowfin or snakeheads have these characteristics. For help telling them apart, view one of the following identification guides:
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| BOWFIN |
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| Bowfin are most commonly found in Lake Erie and western Pennsylvania waters, but are
infrequently caught by anglers in the Delaware River and Estuary, and Schuylkill River.
Bowfin are listed as a "candidate species", which means that anglers are strongly encouraged to return any
fish caught to the waters from which they were taken. |
| BURBOT |
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| The only Pennsylvania populations of burbot occur in Lake Erie and the Allegheny River
headwaters. Even though burbot are found in several streams in the Allegheny River watershed,
they are rarely abundant at any given location.
Burbot are listed as an "endangered species", which means that if caught, they must be immediately returned
to the water unharmed. The catching, taking, killing, possessing, importing to or exporting from
Pennsylvania, selling, offering for sale or purchasing of any individual of these species, alive
or dead, or any part thereof is prohibited. |
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| PA REGULATIONS |
- It is unlawful for a person to sell, purchase, offer for sale or barter live snakehead species in
Pennsylvania.
- It is unlawful to possess live snakehead species in Pennsylvania.
- It is unlawful to introduce or import live snakehead species into Pennsylvania waters.
- Transportation of live snakehead species in or through Pennsylvania is prohibited.
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| IF YOU CATCH ONE |
| Anglers catching snakeheads should dispose of them properly. Anglers suspecting they have
caught a snakehead are encouraged to NOT release it, and report it to the Commission at
610-847-2442 or via email. |
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| Aquatic Invasive Species |
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| Flathead catfish |
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| July 2004 press release–snakehead confirmed |
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| PA Fishes |
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| External Web Sites |
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| Other Invasive Species
Numerous other invasive species exist in Pennsylvania waters.
These invaders, such as the "round
goby" found in Lake Erie, can have negative impacts on ecosystems.
In addition to gobies in Lake
Erie, there are serious concerns about another fish species thought to have been originally
transported via freighters, the ruffe. Zebra mussels are another non-indigenous species
impacting Lake Erie.
It's not always "foreign invaders" that are the problem. White perch and flathead catfish are other examples of species that have turned up where they don't belong.
While native to some PA watersheds, they have been introduced
to other
areas.
Flatheads, which are traditionally found in western PA, have now been documented in the
Susquehanna and Schuylkill River drainages. Flatheads are voracious eaters and the concern is that they have the
potential to upset existing fish population structures.
Likewise, white perch have been introduced into numerous reservoirs and have crowded out
other desirable panfish species. |
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