Americans told to cut head off ‘Frankenfish’ invading the US

Americans told to cut head off ‘Frankenfish’ invading the US,

An invasive land-walking fish from Asia has invaded the US, forcing officials to ask Americans to take matters into their own hands. 

The northern snakehead has earned a fearsome reputation for its aggressive hunting behavior and ability to outcompete native species for food and habitat. 

Often dubbed the ‘Frankenfish,’ the species can breathe air and survive out of water for several days as long as its skin remains moist, allowing it to move between bodies of water under the right conditions. 

The invasive fish, first detected in US waters in 2002, has spread across much of the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern US. Now, it has been spotted in New York for the first time. 

The alarming discovery was made at Lily Pond in Suffolk County on Long Island, where a fisherman reeled in one of the snake-like predators, prompting New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to step up efforts to stop the species from becoming established in the state. 

Officials are warning anglers not to throw the fish back if they catch one. 

Because northern snakeheads can breathe air and survive on land for days, simply leaving them on the shore is often not enough to kill them. 

Instead, the Missouri Department of Conservation is urging people to ‘kill the fish by severing the head, gutting it or placing it in a sealed plastic bag.’

The northern snakehead, a predatory fish native to Asia, has earned a fearsome reputation for its aggressive hunting behavior and ability to outcompete native species for food and habitat

Heidi O’Riordan, the regional fisheries manager for the New York State DEC, told CBS News: ‘They don’t belong, they don’t have a natural predator, they will screw up our native fish populations, they tend to eat pretty much anything they can put in their very large mouths.’

While the northern snakehead may look like an ordinary fish at first glance, wildlife officials warn it poses a serious threat to native ecosystems.

The invasive predator reproduces at an alarming rate, with females capable of laying up to 15,000 eggs at a time and spawning as many as five times a year. Those eggs hatch within just a few days, allowing populations to grow rapidly once the species becomes established.

Its appetite is equally concerning. As a top predator, the snakehead feeds on fish, frogs, crayfish and other aquatic animals, disrupting the natural balance of waterways and competing with native species for food.

‘This species is of concern because it is a top predator and disrupts the natural aquatic feeding structure in ecosystems,’ the New York Invasive Species Information program states.

Snakeheads are typically found in freshwater ponds, wetlands, rivers and slow-moving streams, particularly in areas with stagnant water.

The fish is easy to recognize thanks to its snake-like appearance. It has a long, slender body, an extended dorsal fin running nearly the length of its back and a mottled brown pattern that resembles a boa constrictor. Fully grown adults can reach about three feet in length.

The species has continued expanding its footprint across the US in recent years. 

First detected in US waters in 2002, the invasive fish has spread across much of the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern US. Now, it has been spotted in New York for the first time

Before the New York discovery, sightings had been reported in states including Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and the District of Columbia.   

Scientists have also been studying what causes northern snakeheads to leave the water, hoping the behavior could provide clues for controlling the invasive species.

In one experiment, researchers from a North Carolina university examined snakeheads collected in Maryland, where the fish pose a growing threat to ecosystems connected to the Chesapeake Bay. 

The specimens were captured by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in tributaries of the Potomac River and nearby drainage ditches.

To catch the fish, biologists used a technique called electrofishing, which sends a mild electrical current through the water to temporarily draw fish toward a collection point where they can be safely netted.

Often dubbed the ‘Frankenfish,’ the species can breathe air and survive out of water for several days as long as its skin remains moist, allowing it to move between bodies of water under the right conditions

Officials are warning anglers not to throw the fish back if they catch one. Because northern snakeheads can breathe air and survive on land for days, simply leaving them on the shore is often not enough to kill them

The team then exposed the snakeheads to a range of stressful conditions, including warmer water, increased salinity, higher acidity, overcrowding, darkness, pollution and stagnant water with low oxygen levels.

The fish proved remarkably resilient, tolerating nearly every environment researchers threw at them. 

But when faced with highly acidic water, elevated salinity or stagnant water rich in carbon dioxide, the snakeheads repeatedly emerged from the water in search of better conditions.

Some remained out of the water for only a few seconds, while others stayed on land for as long as 20 minutes before returning. 

Researchers said the findings could help wildlife officials better predict the species’ movements and develop new strategies to contain its spread.