Question: Tell Me About Snakeheads
"I've been reading about the snakeheads in Maryland. Are the stories for real? Tell me about them."
Answer: Unfortunately it's true - a pair of snakeheads were released into a pond in Maryland in 2002.
Since then they have reproduced and are wiping out the natural inhabitants. The even sadder part is the fact that these fish are just one instance out of hundreds of fish releases each year. There are at least 185 known species of exotic fishes that have became established in the United States due to fish releases. Of those over half are aquarium fish that were dumped in the wild by their owners.
The snakeheads have gained so much attention because they are a top-level predator. In other words, once outside of their native environment, nothing else eats them. Add to that the fact that they are quite capable of moving across land to reach additional food sources, and you begin to grasp the gravity of the problem. If left unchecked, they could spread to many other bodies of water where they would destroy the indigenous fish.
About Snakeheads
There are roughly two dozen species in the snakehead family. With the exception of a few African species, all of them originate in Asia, primarily in China and southern Korea. Snakeheads are obligate air-breathers, meaning they must get at least a portion of their oxygen directly from the air. When in water, they will go to the surface periodically and gulp air. On land their ability to breath air allows them to stay alive for days at a time, provided they stay moist.
Their preferred habit is shallow ponds and streams where the water is still, and the bottoms muddy with dense vegetation. Their diet is predominantly fish, however they will eat insects, crustaceans, worms, tadpoles, frogs, and even snakes. They reach adulthood in two to three years, at which time they range in size from one foot to nearly three feet in length. Females will produce anywhere from one to fifteen thousand eggs per spawn, and can spawn up to five times per year. That might sound like a lot of offspring however it's not unusual for the parents to eat their own young. By virtue of sheer numbers, at least a few will survive to adulthood.
Food Fish
Snakeheads have long been relished as a food fish due to their pleasing flavor, lack of bones, and the fact that they can be shipped live. They are the primary fish food in Thailand, Indochina and Malaysia. Snakeheads also make a particularly savory soup. In addition to their food value, a small contingent of freshwater fish enthusiasts have kept them in aquariums. Most have been quite responsible owners. However, due to the recent events in Maryland, a ban will very likely be placed on the trade and import of snakeheads.
Since then they have reproduced and are wiping out the natural inhabitants. The even sadder part is the fact that these fish are just one instance out of hundreds of fish releases each year. There are at least 185 known species of exotic fishes that have became established in the United States due to fish releases. Of those over half are aquarium fish that were dumped in the wild by their owners.
The snakeheads have gained so much attention because they are a top-level predator. In other words, once outside of their native environment, nothing else eats them. Add to that the fact that they are quite capable of moving across land to reach additional food sources, and you begin to grasp the gravity of the problem. If left unchecked, they could spread to many other bodies of water where they would destroy the indigenous fish.
About Snakeheads
There are roughly two dozen species in the snakehead family. With the exception of a few African species, all of them originate in Asia, primarily in China and southern Korea. Snakeheads are obligate air-breathers, meaning they must get at least a portion of their oxygen directly from the air. When in water, they will go to the surface periodically and gulp air. On land their ability to breath air allows them to stay alive for days at a time, provided they stay moist.
Their preferred habit is shallow ponds and streams where the water is still, and the bottoms muddy with dense vegetation. Their diet is predominantly fish, however they will eat insects, crustaceans, worms, tadpoles, frogs, and even snakes. They reach adulthood in two to three years, at which time they range in size from one foot to nearly three feet in length. Females will produce anywhere from one to fifteen thousand eggs per spawn, and can spawn up to five times per year. That might sound like a lot of offspring however it's not unusual for the parents to eat their own young. By virtue of sheer numbers, at least a few will survive to adulthood.
Food Fish
Snakeheads have long been relished as a food fish due to their pleasing flavor, lack of bones, and the fact that they can be shipped live. They are the primary fish food in Thailand, Indochina and Malaysia. Snakeheads also make a particularly savory soup. In addition to their food value, a small contingent of freshwater fish enthusiasts have kept them in aquariums. Most have been quite responsible owners. However, due to the recent events in Maryland, a ban will very likely be placed on the trade and import of snakeheads.
