Mo invasion: Snakehead fish shocks Missouri angler and scientists

In Missouri, an astonished angler caught a fish that resembled a snake. It turned out to be a snakehead (Channa argus), an invasive freshwater fish species in the family Channidae that surprises fishing enthusiasts and scientists alike.

According to IFLScience, the specimen was caught on 25 May below the Wappapello Lake dam in Wayne County. This catch marks the fourth instance of the snakehead appearing in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirms that yet another discovered snakehead highlights the species' incredible adaptability.

The northern snakehead is not native to America. It originated in Asia and most likely arrived in the United States after an accident at a fish farm in Arkansas in 2008. Since then, it has effectively spread throughout American waters. This fish can grow to around 1 metre in length, with a body covered in scales resembling a python's pattern.

The snakehead is a predator that hunts other fish, crustaceans, small reptiles, birds, and mammals. It can breathe atmospheric air and move on land for short distances, making it exceptionally resilient and difficult to eradicate from aquatic ecosystems.

The recent case of catching a snakehead particularly shocked the finder, who left the fish on concrete, thinking it would die quickly. The fish survived several hours on land, which surprised even local experts. Interestingly, MDC recommends that the fish should be killed after catching a snakehead and confirming that it is indeed this species. As the organisation states on its website: "Kill the fish by severing the head, gutting it, or placing it in a sealed plastic bag". They also remind people not to release the fish or throw it on the shore as it could survive for a considerable amount of time out of the water and migrate back to the water or to a new body of water.

This case highlights the problem of invasive species in ecosystems, where they can severely threaten native species and biological balance. Despite their surprising adaptability and survival abilities, northern snakeheads remain targeted by both anglers and biologists.

The United States is not the only place dealing with many invasive species. They can also be found in the UK. These include various plants, animals, pathogens, or other organisms that, as noted by the General Directorate for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ), can harm the setting or the economy or negatively impact human health. Examples are Asian lady beetles, raccoons, dogs, and American mink. More information about them can be read here.