Dump water from boat compartments, bait buckets, and live wells on dry land. Note: it is illegal to use snakehead as bait in NY. Dispose of all bait in trash cans, at disposal stations, or above the waterline on dry land.Dispose of aquarium animals and plants in the garbage, not in waterbodies.Learn how to identify northern snakehead.Trap nets, electrofishing and pesticides like rotenone may be used on a case-by-case basis depending on the population size and whether the infested waterbody is connected to other waterbodies. Once they are in an area, however, there is little that can be done to control and manage them. The best method for dealing with northern snakeheads is preventing their spread and establishment. The New York State Part 575 Invasive Species Regulation takes this a step further by prohibiting the possession, sale and transport of live snakeheads in the state. Northern snakeheads are federally listed as "Injurious Wildlife," meaning they may not be imported or transported between states without a permit. Snakeheads will also spread to nearby waterbodies on their own since they can breathe air and survive for days out of water. How Snakeheads Spreadīesides aquarium dumping and fish market releases, people also contribute to their spread by illegally using them as bait or unknowingly transporting juveniles in the water-containing compartments of boats. Another population found in Ridgebury Lake in the town of Wawayanda, Orange County, was eradicted in 2008 using the pesticide rotenone. In New York State, snakeheads were identified in two connected ponds in Queens where steps have been taken to keep the population contained. Northern snakehead has been found in Queens County.Īlthough this species prefers to live in stagnant shallow ponds or swamps, it can inhabit canals, reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. Municipalities which rely on tourist dollars from recreational fishing may suffer losses should northern snakeheads continue to invade New York waters. Snakeheads have the potential to reduce or even eliminate native fish populations and alter aquatic communities. As adults, they feed mostly on other fish species, but also eat crustaceans, reptiles, mammals and small birds. Northern snakehead juveniles feed on a wide variety of microscopic organisms, insect larvae, and crustaceans on which native fish rely. Bowfin can most easily be distinguished from snakeheads by a shorter anal fin and a rounded tail fin. Northern snakeheads are very similar to our native bowfin ( Amia calva). They have a somewhat flattened head and a large mouth with many teeth. They are generally brown with large, dark blotches along their sides and can grow up to three feet long. Northern snakeheads are long, thin fish with a single fin running the length of the back. It is crucial that we stop the spread of this invasive predator to protect the health of our waters, wildlife and fishing industry. They were most likely introduced to New York through aquarium dumpings and both accidental and intentional releases from fish markets. Northern snakeheads ( Channa argus) are predatory fish native to Asia.
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