Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Northern snakehead is an introduced predatory fish in the mid-Atlantic U.S. that can breathe air and guard its young. Its long anal fin helps separate it from the native bowfin (Amia calva).

Appearance

Appearance: The body is long and brown with dark blotches, a flattened head, and long dorsal and anal fins. Adults can exceed 33 in (85 cm).

Look-alikes

BowfinAmia calva

A northern snakehead has a long anal fin and pelvic fins close behind its pectoral fins. A bowfin has a short anal fin and pelvic fins farther back.

Why they get mixed upBoth have long bodies and long back fins.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: vegetated ponds
slow streams and canals
Range: It is native to East Asia and has established populations in mid-Atlantic U.S. waters, including the Potomac River system.
Preferred conditions: It favors shallow, slow water with aquatic plants and can survive in water with little oxygen.
When it’s recorded: Recorded Jan–Oct most years
Breeding Apr–Aug
493 observations in the US · 10 years · for reference

Behavior

Diet: It eats fish and other aquatic animals.
Activity: It must breathe air and can use low-oxygen water.

Life cycle

Breeding season: In U.S. populations, spawning has been observed from late April through August, with a June peak.
Nest: Adults make a floating nest from cut plants and both parents guard the eggs and fry.

Name and classification

About the name: The Chinese (Channa argus argus) and Amur snakehead (C. a. warpachowskii) are two geographic forms within this species.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction
Status: It is managed as an invasive fish in the United States.

10 sources