snake heads ??????

[duce]

i read a article in the sun (newspaper in uk) about a snake head fish which is terrorising lakes etc aparently they kill everything and can survive on land for up to 3 days ?
anyone know anything of them?

[jbeining75]

Very very bad invasive species... Northern Snakeheads were all over Maryland around 5 years ago. they were getting into local streams and killing native species. They can make it 3 days without water and breath through lungs. They are very dominant and will attack at will. Maryland DNR started chemical bathing them when found. They dumped chemicals into all kinds of ponds throughout Maryland to kill them off and are now illegal in alot of the Northwest and throughout most states. The bad part is the outbreak was all because some idiots dumped them into the rivers and ponds because they were to big to keep...

[RichBowyer]

I hear they are tasty stir fried in sesame oil with some fresh ground ginger.

[duce]

wow id never heard of them before !! i thought it maybe an april fool
theres ment to be a documentry about them soon in the uk

[NickFish]

Not a joke, I have seen those fish many times.

Here's what I know of them. All of it true.

They are illegal in most parts of the US (but not in Canada! HOORAY!), for many reasons.

In no particular order:

1) They need tanks big enough for them to swim freely, which not many can provide (this never stopped the pacu or arowana however). This isn't a big reason, just one of them.

2) If they ever get loose they will eat everything. Have you ever seen a adult snakehead up close? They're jaws are lined with dozens of curved inward, dagger-like teeth. Whatever they bit into the are getting, because you can't rip them off unless you want to lose a chunk of flesh with it. And they can wipe out an entire pond with their voracious appetite, and then get up and "walk" to the next pond.

3) They can live for days out of water, and even move out of water. They have been reported to attack children, and family pets. Sometimes with fatal consequences.

These guys are not to be taken lightly. They need at least a 300 gallon each, and they need to be fed a ton. Also, they are jumpers so don't put your hand over the tank. They are not terribly agressive, but they will bite people if they feel threatened or if they are very hungry.

[Wild Turkey]

Very very bad invasive species... Northern Snakeheads were all over Maryland around 5 years ago. they were getting into local streams and killing native species. They can make it 3 days without water and breath through lungs. They are very dominant and will attack at will. Maryland DNR started chemical bathing them when found. They dumped chemicals into all kinds of ponds throughout Maryland to kill them off and are now illegal in alot of the Northwest and throughout most states. The bad part is the outbreak was all because some idiots dumped them into the rivers and ponds because they were to big to keep...

Great Post, Im also a Marylander and i can attest to the fact that this species has not been wiped out completely and probably never will be. As mentioned, they are insanely hard to contain as they can literally "walk" across the gaps and infect all the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay with dire consequences. It all got started from...you guessed it, aquarium fish being disposed of improperly.

[goleafs]

Snakeheads are beasts... I'd definately get one if I had a huge tank and could find one. But if any of those get into the lakes I fish and start eating all the bass and stuff its going to suck. I'm pretty sure they got introduced from flooding in fish farms/people releasing them. Cool fish but they should go home.

[duce]

have any of you seen one in the flesh??

[Wild Turkey]

Yes, i saw one caught out of the bay a few years ago, and it seemed in that era there was a picture of one in the newspaper almost every week. They arent very attractive looking fish if you ask me.

[duce]

wow i find this fish so interesting any more??

[RichBowyer]

I actually bought one back in the early 70s. Guy said it would go into my community tank. Mom helped me get my money back and my neons replaced for free.
That Bastahd.........

[smaug]

I have actually read some articles in fish magazines about them being caught in MD when the big hooha about them was in the news.I even have some acquaintances who have caught them.They are no more voracious then a northern pike and are actually no more invasive then a Bowfin,which we have in PA.The big deal about them truly is the hype that surrounds them and there horrific name.They are a bad thing to have in our native waterways mostly because they are another predatory fish,not because they are some sort of unstoppable monsterfish.They have been outlawed in PA and have even been confiscated.What a shame such a stink had to be raised about a fish.

[Wild Turkey]

I have actually read some articles in fish magazines about them being caught in MD when the big hooha about them was in the news.I even have some acquaintances who have caught them.They are no more voracious then a northern pike and are actually no more invasive then a Bowfin,which we have in PA.The big deal about them truly is the hype that surrounds them and there horrific name.They are a bad thing to have in our native waterways mostly because they are another predatory fish,not because they are some sort of unstoppable monsterfish.They have been outlawed in PA and have even been confiscated.What a shame such a stink had to be raised about a fish.

The difference between the snakehead and the pike is the snakehead can walk on land and survive for a few days out of water, which means its spreads to little ponds and lakes where you wont find pike, or other large predatory fish, so they get in, eat everything and make babies, and then walk off to the next closest river or pond. They arent a moster fish, but we all know what fish in a ecosystem they dont belong in can do...and the last thing the chesapeake bay needs is another predator.

[smaug]

The difference between the snakehead and the pike is the snakehead can walk on land and survive for a few days out of water, which means its spreads to little ponds and lakes where you wont find pike, or other large predatory fish, so they get in, eat everything and make babies, and then walk off to the next closest river or pond. They aren't a monster fish, but we all know what fish in a ecosystem they don't belong in can do...and the last thing the Chesapeake bay needs is another predator.
the Chesapeake is saltwater,the snakehead is FW,Im not looking to undermine anyones opinions and I never said I'm glad it happened,what I am saying is that it is way over-hyped.I know your opinions are very strong turkey,I'm not looking for a duel.

[Wild Turkey]

the Chesapeake is saltwater,the snakehead is FW,Im not looking to undermine anyones opinions and I never said I'm glad it happened,what I am saying is that it is way over-hyped.I know your opinions are very strong turkey,I'm not looking for a duel.

Lol im not looking for a duel either buddy, I know you have strong opinions as well. I agree it is way over hyped, but i dont think they should have been or should be left in the chesapeake, i know its difficult to understand becase i have lived there my whole life and its a local issue. But the chespeake has a lot of problems, and just doesnt need anymore. btw the chesapeake is brackish to fresh water depending on how far up you go, and the snakeheads for sure were surviving there, i think we poisoned them somehow, but i cant be sure. They are still around just not in the insane amounts that they were a few years ago.

Edit: This town aint big enough for the two of us ombre.... J/k <3 :P

[smaug]

Lol im not looking for a duel either buddy, I know you have strong opinions as well. I agree it is way over hyped, but i dont think they should have been or should be left in the chesapeake, i know its difficult to understand becase i have lived there my whole life and its a local issue. But the chespeake has a lot of problems, and just doesnt need anymore. btw the chesapeake is brackish to fresh water depending on how far up you go, and the snakeheads for sure were surviving there, i think we poisoned them somehow, but i cant be sure. They are still around just not in the insane amounts that they were a few years ago.

Edit: This town aint big enough for the two of us ombre.... J/k <3 :P
I know what you mean,Im only 2 miles from maryland and half of everyone I know is a crabpicker!My family is from randallstown.He(*,we could have been neighbors in a slighly different world.Your correct,no way should they have been released into the wild.Just wait till we get those big jumping carp!Imagine that!

[Wild Turkey]

I know what you mean,Im only 2 miles from maryland and half of everyone I know is a crabpicker!My family is from randallstown.He(*,we could have been neighbors in a slighly different world.Your correct,no way should they have been released into the wild.Just wait till we get those big jumping carp!Imagine that!

Oh i know it! I cant wait til i can get out there and sit on the dock getting drunk and pulling in crabs. MMMmmmMMM My girlfriend isnt a local, so ive been forcing her to try seafood including the crab. Its funny but im such a yokel from never leaving this place, i didnt even realize only our region uses old bay! I put that crap on everything that once swam....and some things that didnt. lol

[smaug]

Oh i know it! I cant wait til i can get out there and sit on the dock getting drunk and pulling in crabs. MMMmmmMMM My girlfriend isnt a local, so ive been forcing her to try seafood including the crab. Its funny but im such a yokel from never leaving this place, i didnt even realize only our region uses old bay! I put that crap on everything that once swam....and some things that didnt. lol
yup!Old bay is very localized.

[freshwaterfishlover]

I to am from Maryland and remember the SnakeHead insident as well. The first one was found in a pond. I don't remember were the first one was found, but Frederick MD sticks in my head for some reason.

[duce]

ive heard a few whispers of 1 been found in uk but dont believe it its too cold here! these creatures r amazing can any of u get a pic for me ! pls pls pls:19:

[cocoa_pleco]

ive heard a few whispers of 1 been found in uk but dont believe it its too cold here! these creatures r amazing can any of u get a pic for me ! pls pls pls:19:

heres pics

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[duce]

the dude says hes putting 1 in a pond!!
reciepe 4 disaster lol

[xBSD]

My local LFS has a bunch of "Red Snakehead" in a tank that also has a few common plecos and about three dozen clown loaches. They are completely and brightly red and look very cute at their current size of little-more-than-two-inches, but I told the owner that these things get rather large and aggressive, he said nothing... pity the unsuspecting beginner who buys a few for their community tank; bye bye little tetras.

I've always wondered how those stray Snakeheads fare in US waters where there are Bowfins, too. As far as I know, Bowfins are no less aggressive and ill tempered than the Snakeheads, if not more so. Both are voracious predators that look for the same kind of prey, and both of these species are very resilient and adaptable to their environments.

Anyway, I find all those ancient, vicious and hardy ray-finned fish very interesting. I may try my hand at keeping a Bowfin at some point in the future, but I doubt I'll ever keep Snakeheads.

[smaug]

My local LFS has a bunch of "Red Snakehead" in a tank that also has a few common plecos and about three dozen clown loaches. They are completely and brightly red and look very cute at their current size of little-more-than-two-inches, but I told the owner that these things get rather large and aggressive, he said nothing... pity the unsuspecting beginner who buys a few for their community tank; bye bye little tetras.

I've always wondered how those stray Snakeheads fare in US waters where there are Bowfins, too. As far as I know, Bowfins are no less aggressive and ill tempered than the Snakeheads, if not more so. Both are voracious predators that look for the same kind of prey, and both of these species are very resilient and adaptable to their environments.

Anyway, I find all those ancient, vicious and hardy ray-finned fish very interesting. I may try my hand at keeping a Bowfin at some point in the future, but I doubt I'll ever keep Snakeheads.
bowfin are prolific around here.They are super fun to catch and they are viscious.I guess the only real difference between snakes and bows are the snakes ability to stay out of water longer.If I have a 500gal tank I would have bowfin,they are pretty to boot.

[xBSD]

If I have a 500gal tank I would have bowfin,they are pretty to boot.

I was reading somewhere that they dislike "crystal clear" water, they seemed to be much happier in cloudy water. I wonder if it was just a lack of hiding places in that particular tank or just the fact that the Bowfin's native habitat has cloudy water. Or a bit of both.

[smaug]

I have seen a nd caught bowfin in muddy as well as clear water.I cant vouch for there preference.I have had my best luck with them in flooded grassy areas during spring time.I think they are mating at these times and are especially foul tempered.

[Drumachine09]

I hear they are tasty stir fried in sesame oil with some fresh ground ginger.



Thats what I've heard. Mostly asian cuisine I presume? I'd love to try some.



I have had piranha before though :27:

[NickFish]

I was reading somewhere that they dislike "crystal clear" water, they seemed to be much happier in cloudy water. I wonder if it was just a lack of hiding places in that particular tank or just the fact that the Bowfin's native habitat has cloudy water. Or a bit of both.

Most fish dislike crystal clear water, not all but a lot.

It just isn't practical to make an aquarium so muddy you can't see the fish. Instead we can put in backgrounds to make it appear less clear. The clarity of the water isn't nearly as important as the parameters.

[BSagar76]

I heard of a story on television once of a gentlemen keeping one. The snakehead was so powerful he rammed in to the side of the tank and actually cracked the glass!

[NickFish]

I heard of a story on television once of a gentlemen keeping one. The snakehead was so powerful he rammed in to the side of the tank and actually cracked the glass!

LOL, that's a pacu's job!

[Azear]

here's a pic of a snakehead mouth open... Scary with all theses teeth

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]Original webpage ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

[pes142]

If this fish is caught in any body of water, it is to be killed on site, and the spot should be reported to the nearest DNR. These fish are horrible, because the can kill anything that swims in native waters that is the same size or smaller. They are let go by people who can't contain them or get bored with them, and they breed like rabbits. The cat is out of the bag now, and all we can hope is to halt the spread before they damage anymore native ecosystems.

[Bassinkorea]

ive heard a few whispers of 1 been found in uk but dont believe it its too cold here! these creatures r amazing can any of u get a pic for me ! pls pls pls:19:

Ask and you say receive....
Here's a photo of a snakehead I caught 2 years ago.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

and another that I caught about 4 weeks ago.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

I would say that the climate in the UK is just fine for snakeheads. I now live in South Korea and we have similar climate to the UK and the snakehead is a native fish of Korea.

[kirsty]

yeah i have two young snakeheads at the moment in a 5 foot tank, both male and get alone fine as long as they are fed enough. one hides all day until feeding time and the other one is always begging for more food and he is hand fed, he is only 8inches long at moment. but they are a real pleasure to keep, not for over curious children though for obvious reasons

[Northernguy]

Welcome to the AC Kristy!
I had them as well a long time ago.They killed everything in my tank one night and got rehomed the next day.I would not want them near any kids little fingers either.
What are your plans when they outgrow your tank?

[lobsternoob]

I caught what i suspect was a snakehead not long ago here in central California. There have been only a few reports of them being found in this state. It was pretty small, and it was in a small lake a lot of people have pulled weird stuff out of Pacus, some odd carp, a bunch of Koi (what kind of bait would Koi bite off and actually get hooked?) and I've even heard rumors of RTC's Managuenses and Oscars, although that could be bull, I've seen a pacu caught, and I've seen some huge carp. Bottom line it seems to be a dumping ground for unwanted aquarium fish. Honestly not much seems to survive in that lake other than non native species, and Sacramento Suckers, Catostomus occidentalis. They tried stocking rainbow trout for a while, but it just seemed to produce a lot of corpses and a lot of expenses. And there are a buncha signs saying don't eat fish from this lake, sounds nice huh?

A few people that live by the lake, for lack of a better word I'll call them vagrants, said they had seen more than one of them before. I contacted a local game warden and handed over the corpse, and have yet to hear anything back. Since it's been a few months I'm not expecting any word, but it would be nice to know. Either way, I hope I won't be seeing any more of them in our local waters, although, even with 3 to 5 days or more of crawling it couldn't make it to any other bodies of water but the ocean. And body of water is being very generous to this "lake". It's only barely deep enough to cover the cars people dump into it on a somewhat regular basis. I'd love to keep snakeheads If I had the tank for them, and If it weren't illegal here, I love them tankbuster fish:hmm3grin2orange:

[Northernguy]

Nasty fish!
They should be kept in a species only tank and donated to a zoo or destroyed when they become unmanageable! IMO
Thats a sad story lobsternoob.I hope all passages out of that lake have been blocked off somehow! All those fish can do a world of damage!

[young_cichlid]

if you want a a snake head get a dwarf

[Nightside_Eclipse]

So long as someone can properly care for a Snakhead I don't see the problem (other than the legality which is rather ridiculous).

Sad thing is with all the "OMG THEY CAN STAY OUT OF THE WATER AND CRAWL TO DIFFERENT LAKES AND THEY KILL EVERYTHING!!!" hysteria too many morons think Bowfin (my favorite local fish) are snakeheads and kill them.

For one thing, bowfin are native so the "just as invasive as snakeheads" line is ridiculous.

[rst girl]

I've had a few Snakeheads, I had a few babies, two were eaten by my spotted gar, one I grew to about 7 in, he jumped out of the tank, dried up, came back to life to only die the next day. Then I bought an African Snakehead, had him for a year, found another large Red Snakehead, bought him. They lived together for 7 or 8 months, then one day the Red killed the African, rammed him while I wasn't there, my room mates just watched. The Red I had for the next 7 years, we did something stupid and fed him mice we caught in our house, he got a parasite, tried to medicate him with what a guy at a fish store said to use, it killed him. :( He was my favorite out of all the fish I have ever had, he would greet me every morning, swim with my hand as fast as I could move it, really personable fish. If I could find another I would be soooo happy, but with the ban I figure it is pointless to even try. If anyone knows where I could get one let me know. I would never release ANY fish into the wild and am very unhappy with anyone who has, Snakeheads were legal when I got mine, by the time the last one died they were gone because of some idiot in Maryland.

[Wild Turkey]

Old thread, but if you want a snakehead dwarfs are available. Trying to obtain banned species online is probably a bad idea.