Snakehead (fish)

2017-04-27T00:48:48Z

2602:306:CDA8:A0B0:9D47:B556:EFB:A106: /* Intentional introductions */

{{Other uses|Snakehead (disambiguation){{!}}Snakehead}}
{{Taxobox
| name =Snakehead
| image = Snakehead - Channa argus 2.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = [[Northern snakehead]], ''Channa argus''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| subphylum = [[Vertebrata]]
| classis = [[Actinopterygii]]
| ordo = [[Perciformes]]
|subordo=[[Channoidei]]
| familia = '''Channidae'''
| familia_authority = [[Henry Weed Fowler|Fowler]], 1934
| subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|General]]
| subdivision =
* Recent
** ''[[Channa]]''
** ''[[Parachanna]]''
* Fossil
** ''[[Anchichanna]]''<ref name=Murray2008>Murray, A. M. & Thewissen, J. G. M. (2008): Eocene actinopterygian fishes from Pakistan, with the description of a new genus and species of channid (channiformes). ''Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 28 (1): 41-52''</ref>
** ''[[Eochanna]]''
}}
The '''snakeheads''' are members of the [[fresh water|freshwater]] [[perciform]] [[fish]] family '''Channidae''', native to parts of [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]. These elongated, [[predatory fish]] are distinguished by their long [[dorsal fin]]s, large mouths, and shiny teeth. They breathe air with gills, which allows them to migrate short distances over land. They have supra[[Branchial arch|branchial]] organs developing when they grow older,<ref>Pinter, H. (1986). ''Labyrinth Fish.'' Barron's Educational
Series, Inc., ISBN 0-8120-5635-3.</ref> which is a primitive form of a [[labyrinth organ]]. The two [[Extant taxon|extant]] [[genera]] are ''[[Channa]]'' in Asia and ''[[Parachanna]]'' in Africa, consisting of about 35 species.

They are valuable as a food source and have become notorious as an intentionally released [[invasive species]].

==Description==
The various [[species]] of snakeheads differ greatly in size. [[Dwarf snakeheads]], such as ''[[Channa gachua]]'', do not surpass {{convert|25|cm|abbr=on|0}} in length. Most other snakeheads reach between {{convert|30|and|90|cm|abbr=on}}. Five species (''[[Northern snakehead|C. argus]]'', ''[[Channa barca|C. barca]]'', ''[[Channa marulius|C. marulius]]'', ''[[Giant snakehead|C. micropeltes]]'' and ''[[Channa striata|C. striata]]'') can reach {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}} or more.<ref>{{FishBase genus | genus=Channa | month=June | year= 2014}}</ref>

Snakeheads are thrust-feeders that consume [[plankton]], [[aquatic insect]]s, and [[mollusk]]s when small. As adults, they mostly feed on other fish (such as [[carp]]) or on [[frog]]s. In rare cases, small [[mammal]]s such as [[rat]]s are eaten.

==History==
The Channidae are well represented in the fossil record and known from numerous specimens. Research indicates snakeheads likely originated in the south Himalayan region of the Indian Subcontinent (modern-day northern [[India]] and eastern [[Pakistan]]) at least 50 million years ago (Mya), during the [[Ypresian|Early Eocene]] epoch. Two of the earliest known species, ''[[Eochanna chorlakkiensis]]'' <small>Roe 1991</small> and ''Anchichanna kuldanensis'' <small>Murray & Thewissen, 2008</small>, have both been found in the [[Middle Eocene]] of Pakistan.<ref name=Murray2008/><ref>Roe, L. J. (1991): [http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/48541/ID395.pdf?sequence=2 Phylogenetic and Ecological Significance of Channidae (Osteichthyes Teleostei) from the Early Eocene Kuldana Formation of Kohat, Pakistan.] ''Contributions From The Museum Of Paleontology, The University Of Michigan, VOL. 28, NO. 5, PP. 93-10''</ref> By 17 Mya, during the [[Burdigalian|Early Miocene]], Channidae had spread into western and central Eurasia, and by 8 Mya, during the late [[Tortonian]], they could be found throughout Africa and East Asia.<ref name="Böhme">{{Cite journal|last=Böhme |first=Madelaine |date=May 2004 |title=Migration history of air-breathing fishes reveals Neogene atmospheric circulation patterns |journal=Geology |volume=32 |issue=5 |pages=393–396 |url=http://www.gsajournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1130%2FG20316.1 |accessdate=2008-07-09 |doi=10.1130/G20316.1}}</ref> As Channidae are adapted to climates of high precipitation with mean temperatures of 20 °C (68 °F), their migrations into Europe and Asia correspond to the development of the [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]], which increased air humidity, and the intensification of the [[East Asian monsoon]], respectively. Both weather patterns emerged due to greater vertical growth of the [[Alps]], [[Pyrenees]], and [[Himalayas]], which affected Eurasian climatic patterns.<ref name="Böhme"/>

==Ecological concerns==
[[File:Gabus 070909 0242 rwg.jpg|thumb|right|Snakehead murrel, ''[[Channa striata]]'', Java, Indonesia]]
Snakeheads can become invasive species and cause [[Ecosystem health|ecological damage]] because in many areas to which they are not native the absence of natural enemies gives them [[top-level predator]] status. Not only can they breathe air, but they can also survive on land for up to four days, provided they are wet, and are known to migrate up to 400 metres (1/4 mile) on wet land to other bodies of water by wriggling with their body and fins.
[[National Geographic Channel|''National Geographic'']] has referred to snakeheads as "Fishzilla"<ref name="natgeo-1">{{cite web|url=http://ngcblog.nationalgeographic.com/ngcblog/2007/12/snakehead_frenzy.html |title=Snakehead Frenzy! |work=NGC Blog |publisher=[[National Geographic Channel]] |date=2007-12-03 |first=Elena |last=Cruz}}</ref> and the [[National Geographic Channel]] reported the "northern snakehead reaches sexual maturity by age two or three. Each spawning-age female can release up to 15,000 eggs at once. Snakeheads can mate as often as five times a year. This means in just two years, a single female can release up to 150,000 eggs."<ref name="natgeo-2">{{cite web|url=http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/wild/3449/Overview#tab-Videos/03181_10 |title=Fishzilla: Snakehead Invasion |work=Wild |publisher=[[National Geographic Channel]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515220447/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/wild/3449/Overview |archivedate=2008-05-15 |df= }} Video clip titled: "The Northern Snakehead fish wreaks havoc".</ref>

"Since 2002, it has been illegal to possess a live snakehead in many US states, where they are considered a destructive invasive species."<ref name=usgs2004 /> Virginia has criminalized the "introduc[tion]" of snakeheads into the state without specific authorization, although the relevant statute does not explain whether mere importation is sufficient to constitute "introduc[tion] into the Commonwealth" or whether instead release into the environment is required.<ref>[http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter7/section18.2-313.2/ Code of Virginia § 18.2-313.2]: "Any person who knowingly introduces into the Commonwealth any snakehead fish of the family Channidae[...] without a permit from the Director of Game and Inland Fisheries [...] is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor [punishable by up to twelve months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500]."</ref>

===Intentional introductions===
Humans have been introducing heads to nonindigenous waters for over 100 years. In parts of Asia and Africa, the snakehead is considered a valuable food fish, and is produced in [[fish farming|aquacultures]] (fisheries motivation) or by ignorance (as was the case in [[Crofton, Maryland]]). Some examples of the introduction of snakeheads to nonindigenous waters include:
* ''[[Channa maculata]]'' was introduced to [[Madagascar]] and to [[Hawaii]] around the end of the 19th century. It can still be found there today.
* ''[[Channa striata]]'' was introduced to islands east of the [[Wallace line]] by governmental programs in the latter half of the 20th century. In [[Fiji]], the introduction failed.
* ''[[Channa asiatica]]'', which is native to southern China, was introduced to [[Taiwan]] and to southern [[Japan]]; the origin of and reason for the introduction are unknown.
* ''[[Channa argus]]'', which is native to northern China ([[Amur River]]), was introduced to central Asia ([[Kazakhstan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]]). It was introduced to [[Japan]] about 100 years ago due to fisheries motivations. Its introduction to [[Czechoslovakia]] by the government in the 1960s failed.

===Reported sightings===
====In the United States====
Snakeheads became a national news topic in the United States because of the appearance of ''Channa argus'', commonly known as [[northern snakehead]]s, spawning in a [[Crofton, Maryland]], pond in 2002.<ref name="usgs2004">Courtenay, Jr., Walter R. and James D. Williams.
[http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Snakehead_circ_1251/ USGS Circular 1251: Snakeheads (Pisces, Chinnidae) - A Biological Synopsis and Risk Assessment. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey]. 2004-04-01. Retrieved 2012-04-16.</ref> Northern snakeheads became permanently established in the [[Potomac River]] around 2004,<ref name="baltsun">[http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/outdoors/bal-md.snakeheads27apr27,0,6241227.story Potomac snakeheads not related to others] Associated Press, ''Baltimore Sun'', 27 April 2007.</ref> and possibly established in [[Florida]].<ref name="usgs2004" /> Apparently, unestablished specimens have been found in [[Wawayanda, New York]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080806/NEWS/808060331|title=DEC sprays poison to kill snakeheads|publisher=''[[The Times Herald Record]]''|date=August 6, 2008|author=Yakin, Heather}}</ref> two ponds in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]],<ref name="baltsun" /> and reservoirs in [[North Carolina]].<ref name="usgs2004" />

The northern snakehead in the Potomac River system, has an estimated population of over 21,000 in over 120 miles of river(200 kilometers).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160317-snakeheads-potomac-river-chesapeake-bay-invasive-species-fish/|title=Fishermen Battle Invasive 'Frankenfish' Snakeheads|last=2016|first=Brian Clark Howard PUBLISHED Thu Mar 17 07:00:00 EDT|website=National Geographic News|access-date=2016-03-18}}</ref>

One Los Angeles supermarket was found to have illegally sold $25,000 worth of live snakeheads from 2002 to 2003, which caused breakouts in local [[ecosystems]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2004/may/23/local/me-snakehead23|title=Grocer Facing Charges Over Snakehead|date=March 2014}}</ref>

In what was determined by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Army Corps of Engineers]] to be an isolated incident, a fisherman caught a single snakehead on October 2004 while fishing from [[Lake Michigan]] at Burnham Harbor in [[Chicago, Illinois]].<ref name="ctv">{{cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20041017/Frankenfish_Biologists_041017?s_name=I&no_ads=|title=Great Lakes biologists worry about 'frankenfish' |author=Canadian Press|date=October 17, 2004|publisher=CTV.ca|accessdate=April 29, 2011}}</ref><ref name="greatlakes">{{cite web|url=http://www.great-lakes.org/Wkly_news/10-18-04.html#Chicago_Angler_nets_Snakehead_in_Lake_Michigan|title=Chicago Angler nets Snakehead in Lake Michigan|date=October 18, 2004|publisher=Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council|accessdate=April 29, 2011}}</ref><ref name="life">{{cite web|url=http://www.life.com/image/51484229|title=Snakehead Fish Found In Lake Michigan|publisher=Life|accessdate=April 29, 2011}}</ref> According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, snakeheads have also been spotted in [[California]], [[Florida]], [[Hawaii]], [[Maine]], [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[Rhode Island]].<ref name="EPA">"History of introduction in the United States: Four species of snakeheads (Channa argus, C. marulius, C. micropeltes, and C. striata) have been recorded from open waters of the United States (California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island), and two have become established as reproducing populations." [http://www.epa.gov/EPA-IMPACT/2002/October/Day-04/i25337.htm Injurious Wildlife Species; Snakeheads] Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref>

On April 25, 2011, a northern snakehead was found above [[Great Falls, Virginia]] near [[Whites Ferry]]. Great Falls was supposedly a natural barrier that the fish had been unable to cross. It is apparently the first time a northern snakehead was found above the falls.<ref name="va">{{cite web|url=http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=3410 |title=Snakehead caught near White's Ferry |date=April 29, 2011 |publisher=Fairfax Times |accessdate=May 10, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

"In May 2011, a [[Brooklyn]] fish importer was arrested for importing 350 live snakeheads into New York. He had tried to pass the fish off as Chinese black sleepers (''[[Bostrychus sinensis]]'') in an effort to mislead customs. He also admitted to importing six more shipments in 2010." It is unknown if any of the fish had been released into local waterways.<ref name="ny">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/04/28/2011-04-28_fish_importer_busted_trying_to_smuggle_fishchomping_fishzilla_snakeheads_into_ne.html|title=Fish importer busted trying to smuggle fish-chomping 'fishzilla' snakeheads into New York|author=Thomas Zambito|date=April 28, 2011|publisher=New York Daily News|accessdate=April 29, 2011}}</ref>

On March 28, 2012, Don Cosden, from Maryland's Department of Natural Resources confirmed that they were offering prizes for catching and killing any snakehead fish. To enter the contest, anglers had to catch, kill, and then post on the DNR's website a picture of themselves with a dead snakehead caught in Maryland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/news/story.asp?story_id=231&title=Help-Control-The-Spread-Of-Snakehead-Fish |title=Help Control The Spread Of Snakehead Fish | Maryland DNR Fisheries Service News |publisher=Dnr.state.md.us |date=2012-03-28 |accessdate=2014-03-20}}</ref>

The Bullseye Snakehead ([[Channa marulius]]) has become a major problem throughout South Florida waterways. It is an invasive threat to many of the native species. The largest one to be documented weighed 14 pounds, 3 ounces.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Southern Fin|title=Bullseye Snakehead Fish aka "Frankenfish"|url=http://www.southernfinapparel.com/|website=www.southernfinapparel.com|publisher=Southern Fin|accessdate=24 September 2014|pages=1|format=Blog|year=2014}}</ref>

===== World record =====
According to the [[International Game Fish Association]], Caleb Newton, a [[Spotsylvania County, Virginia]] resident, caught a world record 17 pound, 6 ounce northern snakehead at the junction of [[Aquia Creek]] and the [[Potomac River]] on June 1, 2013. The previous record, two ounces smaller, had been caught in 2004 in [[Miki, Kagawa]], [[Japan]].<ref>By RUSTY DENNEN
THE FREE LANCE–STAR
6 August 2013
http://news.fredericksburg.com/newsdesk/2013/08/06/local-mans-snakehead-catch-is-world-record/</ref>

====Elsewhere====

[[File:Amia calva 4.jpg|thumb|right|The [[bowfin]], a [[living fossil]] not to be confused with the snakehead]]
A report from [[Lincolnshire]] in the United Kingdom turned out to be a [[hoax]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Clarke|first=Matt|title=Snakehead catch 'a hoax'|journal=Practical Fishkeeping|date=April 2008}}</ref>

A reported catch from the [[Welland Canal]] in Canada turned out to be a misidentified specimen of ''Amia calva'', the primitive North American [[bowfin]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/845494--welland-canal-safe-from-frankenfish | location=Toronto | work=The Star | first1=Fabiola | last1=Carletti | first2=Wendy | last2=Gillis | title=Welland Canal safe from ‘Frankenfish' | date=2010-08-09}}</ref>

A snakehead in Central Park lagoon in [[Burnaby]], British Columbia, was caught by city officials on June 8, 2012 after the lagoon was partially drained.<ref name="bc">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/06/08/bc-snakehead-burnaby.html |title=B.C.'s snakehead caught after Burnaby pond drained. CBC News (Posted: June 8, 2012) |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=2012-06-08 |accessdate=2014-03-20}}</ref>

==As food==
Snakeheads are considered valuable [[food fish]]. Called ''nga yant'' in Burmese, it is a prized fish eaten in a variety of ways. In Vietnam, they are called ''ca loc'', ''ca qua'', or ''ca chuoi''; it is prized in clay pot dishes and pickled preparations. Larger species, such as ''[[Channa striata]]'', ''[[Channa maculata]]'', and ''[[Parachanna obscura]]'', are farmed in [[aquaculture]]. In the United States, chefs have suggested controlling the snakehead invasion by serving them in restaurants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/chefs-solution-for-invading-frankenfish-eat-em |title=Chefs' solution for invading 'Frankenfish'? Eat 'em |publisher=News.msn.com |date= |accessdate=2014-03-20}}</ref>
In Indonesia, snakehead fish are called ''ikan gabus'', served as the main parts of traditional dishes such as Betawi's ''pucung gabus'', and considered to be a delicacy due to their rarity in wild and aquaculture, as they are harder to raise than other popular freshwater fish such as catfish and carp.

[[File:Punkt-Schlangenkopf (Channa pleurophthalma) 5.jpg|thumb|right|''Channa pleurophthalma'']]

==Classification==
The snakeheads comprise two [[Extant taxon|extant]] genera:
* ''[[Channa]]'' (33 species native to Asia)
* ''[[Parachanna]]'' (four African species, including one only known from fossil remains)

Two other genera are only known from fossils:
* [[Extinction|†]]''[[Anchichanna]]'' (one species)
* †''[[Eochanna]]'' (one species)

==In popular culture==

After its release in non-native North American waters, either accidentally or intentionally, the aggressive and predator-free snakehead's reputation as a "Frankenfish"<ref name="bc"/> or "monster fish" has become part of the culture<ref>"The Ultimate Monster Fish: The Frankenfish Snakehead", Carina Suarez, 28 July 2014, [http://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2014/07/28/the-ultimate-monster-fish-the-frankenfish-snakehead/ National Geographic]</ref> Besides mentions on TV shows such as ''[[The Sopranos]]'',<ref>"[[Soprano Home Movies]]" episode 13, season 6, ''The Sopranos'', 8 April 2007, HBO</ref> the snakehead has been featured in three [[Syfy|Sci-fi Channel]] original pictures entitled ''[[Snakehead Terror]]'', ''[[Frankenfish]]'', and ''[[Swarm of the Snakehead]]''. In the [[Animal Planet]] TV series ''[[River Monsters]]'', Jeremy Wade shows a dramatization of a snakehead, "the fish from hell", stalking an unsuspecting baby and [[Chihuahua (dog)|Chihuahua]]. With the help of a snakehead researcher, however, Wade shows that although it is capable of living outside of water and is able to move on land, its weak pectoral muscles make movement difficult and render the snakehead an unlikely "stalker" on land.<ref>http://animal.discovery.com/fish/river-monsters/giant-snakehead/</ref>


==See also==
*[[Amphibious fish]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|2}}

'''Sources'''
* {{FishBase family | family = Channidae | month = January | year = 2006}}
* {{ITIS | taxon = Channidae | id = 166661 | accessdate = 20 March 2006}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Channa striata}}
{{wikispecies|Channidae}}
* [http://cars.er.usgs.gov/circ_1251_courtenay.pdf Snakeheads—A Biological Synopsis and Risk Assessment] published by the [[U.S. Geological Survey]]
* [http://fishing.about.com/cs/fishfactsinfo/a/aa092703a.htm About.com's article on Snakeheads]
* [http://www.snakeheads.org snakeheads.org] world's largest website for snakeheads
* [http://www.scinet.cc/articles/northern-snakehead/frankenfish.html Overview of Northern Snakehead biology]
* [http://www.mauricemartin.net/snakehead.htm Fish or Foul: Snakeheads near Washington, D.C., and the people who love them]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Snakehead (Fish)}}
[[Category:Channidae| ]]
[[Category:Fish of China]]
[[Category:Fish of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Fish of Taiwan]]
[[Category:Fish of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Fish of Turkmenistan]]
[[Category:Fish of Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Freshwater edible fish]]
[[Category:Invasive fish species]]
[[Category:Eocene first appearances]]

[[tl:Dalag]]

Kazakhstan Encyclopedia - User contributions [en]

Snakehead (fish)