The Snakehead Is a Snake Fish out of Water

While they may have similar names and environment, the snakehead is not to be confused with the sea snake. Sea snakes are reptiles, not fish, and although they have adaptations which help them swim in the water, they still require air to breath unlike all known species of fish.

The snakehead fish has a distinctive appearance that makes it easy to spot. Its large mouth is filled with sharp teeth, making it an effective predatory fish. The northern snakehead fish is known for its fierce hunting abilities, using its powerful jaws to catch and consume a wide range of prey.

These fish have long dorsal fins that extend down most of their backs, giving them a streamlined shape perfect for fast swimming.

The snakehead has an elongated, cylindrical body that can grow up to 3 feet (0.3 meters) in length, with large scales and a mottled pattern of browns, greens, and blacks. Its shape is very similar to that of a snake, which is how it got its name.

One of this aquatic creature's most unique features is its ability to breathe air.

That’s right: The snakehead fish has a special organ called a suprabranchial chamber that allows it to take in oxygen from the air, meaning it can survive out of water for up to four days and travel to new water sources.

These fish have been known to up to a quarter mile by wriggling along the ground to find another pond or stream.

Northern Snakehead Traits

There are several subspecies of snakehead fish, but the northern snakehead is the one species the most well-known and problematic due to its invasive tendencies.

Channa argus, the northern snakehead, is native to parts of China, Russia and Korea. Other species in the same family can be found in Southeast Asia and Africa, each adapted to different habitats.

In their native range, snakehead fish can be found in slow-moving or stagnant waters, such as rivers, lakes and swamps. However, as an invasive species, they have adapted to a wide variety of environments, including ponds, reservoirs and even urban waterways.

Their ability to survive in low-oxygen conditions gives them a competitive edge over native fishes, which are more reliant on clean, well-oxygenated water.

In much of Asia, Snakehead fish are prized for their meat and frequently cultivated as a food source, and its likely that the fish have made their way to other continents through fish farming operations which negligently allowed the northern snakeheads to leave inland fisheries and make their way into the surrounding wildlife.

In their native habitats, snakehead fish populations are generally stable and not of concern. However, as an invasive fish species, they are considered injurious wildlife in many countries, including the United States, where their import, transport, and sale are highly regulated to prevent further spread.

In fact, it’s illegal to possess or release northern snakehead fish in many states because of the serious ecological damage they can cause.

Invasive snakehead fish are particularly problematic in North America, where they’ve been found in states up and down the east coast from Florida to New York, and as far west as Missouri. Their presence in these ecosystems is disruptive because they outcompete native bowfin and other species for food and habitat.

Plus, their ability to move between water sources makes invasive northern snakeheads even harder to contain.

Efforts are underway to control the snakehead invasion in North America, but because of their adaptability and resilience, this remains a challenging task. Scientists dedicated to environmental conservation and wildlife managers are working to protect native species from these invaders and restore balance to ecosystems affected by invasive species like the snakehead.

The northern snakehead is primarily a solitary creature, spending most of its time hunting alone. These fish are highly territorial and aggressive, especially during the breeding season. They’ve been known to chase away or even attack other fish species that enter their territory, which can severely impact the balance of local ecosystems.

Snakehead fish are also incredibly resilient. Thanks to their ability to breathe air, they can migrate over land to find new bodies of water when their current habitat becomes unsuitable. This mobility makes them a particularly dangerous invasive species because it’s harder to control their spread.

Snakehead fish are carnivores and feed on a variety of prey, including other fish species, crustaceans, insects and even small amphibians.

As a top predator in their environment, they can drastically reduce populations of native fishes and other aquatic organisms. Species like the invasive northern snakeheads have been known to wipe out significant numbers of native fish in the areas where they become established.

In the U.S., they pose a major threat to native Pennsylvania species, such as bowfin and bass, because they outcompete them for food and habitat. Their aggressive hunting tactics and lack of natural predators make them a serious problem for local fish populations.

The life cycle of the northern snakehead starts with the female laying thousands of eggs in nests built in shallow water. Both parents guard the eggs and young very aggressively, ensuring a high survival rate for their offspring. This parental care is unusual for many fish species and contributes to the rapid spread of snakehead populations once they become established in a new area.

Young snakehead fish grow quickly and become skilled hunters early in their lives. By the time they reach adulthood, they are capable of reproducing and expanding their range even further.

This rapid growth and reproduction make it difficult to control their populations, especially in areas where they’ve already gained a foothold.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was edited and fact-checked by a HowStuffWorks editor.