Photo-Fish and Boat Commission 

If you suspect to have caught this fish, do not release it and dispose of it properly. Please report it to the Fish and Boat Commission at 814-359-5163 or via email.

Where are they from?

Native to China, Russia, and Korea, this species was first reported when a population was found in a pond in Crofton, Maryland. The fish has since been found in the Delaware River and waterways in the lower east of Pennsylvania.

Why are they so harmful?

These invasive fish are ferocious predators and out compete native predator species for food. Snakehead have been found in streams and rivers with lower oxygen levels that is intolerable to other native fish species, giving them a habitat advantage. They have no natural predators and can devastate fish populations. We still do not know the overall impact this invasive fish can cause left unchecked.

How can I identify this fish?

Read this cool handout made by Fish and Boat Commission.

snakehead-poster

Where can I learn more?

Sea Grant Pennsylvania-- https://seagrant.psu.edu/sites/default/files/snakehead2013_reduced_0.pdf

Fish and Boat Commission- https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/PennsylvaniaFishes/Pages/Snakehead.aspx

Know the Difference?-- https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/PennsylvaniaFishes/Documents/snakehead_comparisons_va.pdf