Stunned Georgia angler finds vicious snakehead fish that can live on land for four days
By Matt Mathers
Daily Star
October 10, 2019
A predatory Chinese fish that can survive on land for up to four days has been found for the first time by a stunned angler.
The discovery was made by a man who had been fishing in a pond attached to a private property in Gwinnett County last week.
Wildlife authorities in Georgia confirmed that it is the first time the fish has been found in the state.
Matt Thomas, Chief of Fisheries for the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), said: "Our first line of defence in the fight against aquatic invasive species, such as the northern snakehead, are our anglers.
"Thanks to the quick report by an angler, our staff was able to investigate and confirm the presence of this species in this water body. "
"We are now taking steps to determine if they have spread from this water body and, hopefully, keep it from spreading to other Georgia waters."
According to a press release by WRD, the northern snakehead is a long, thin fish, similar in appearance to the native bowfin.
They have a long dorsal fin that runs along their whole back and a dark brown blotchy appearance.
Northern snakeheads can get up to three feet in length.
They can also breathe air allowing them to survive on land and in low oxygenated systems.
The northern snakehead is native to the Yangtze River basin in China. However, snakeheads have been reported in 14 states in the United States.
Invasive species are often introduced through unauthorized release.
In Georgia, it is unlawful to import, transport, sell, transfer, or possess any species of snakehead fish without a valid wild animal license.
Northern snakeheads have the potential to impact native species in introduced areas by competing for food and habitat.
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