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{{Taxobox
im gay
| name = Snakehead
| image = northern snakehead.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ], ''Channa argus''
| regnum = ]ia
| phylum = ]
| classis = ]
| ordo = ]
|subordo=]
| familia = '''Channidae'''
| subdivision_ranks = ]
| subdivision =
'']''<br/>
''†]''<br/>
'']''
}}
'''Snakeheads''' ('''''Channidae''''') are a family of ] fish native to ] and ]. These ] are distinguished by a long, sensual ], large mouth and shiny teeth. They have a physiological need to breathe atmospheric air, which they do with a ]: a primitive form of a ]. There are two ] ], '']'' in Asia, and '']'' in Africa, consisting of 30-35 species.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

They are considered valuable ]. Called Ca Loc in Vietnamese, it is prized in clay pot dishes and pickled preparations. Larger species like '']'', '']'', and '']'' are farmed in ]. Snakeheads feed on ], ]s, and ]s when small. When adult, they mostly feed on other fish like ], or ]s. In rare cases, small ]s such as ]s are taken. The size of the snakehead species differs greatly. "Dwarf snakeheads" like '']'' grow to 10 inches (25 cm). Most snakeheads grow up to 2 or 3 feet (60–100 cm). Only two species ('']'' and '']'') can reach a length of more than 1 meter and a weight of more than 6 kg.

It is illegal to keep snakeheads as pets in all states of the USA and other countries as they have become an ] due to individuals releasing them into the wild. In the U.S., ] referred to snakeheads as "'''Fishzilla'''."<ref name="natgeo-1"/><ref name="natgeo-2">{{cite web |url=http://natgeowild.co.uk/explore/Fishzilla/ |title=Fishzilla |work=Nat Geo Wild |publisher=NGC-UK Partnership}}</ref><ref name="natgeo-3">{{cite web |url=http://ngcblog.nationalgeographic.com/ngcblog/2007/12/snakehead_frenzy.html |title=Snakehead Frenzy! |work=NGC Blog |publisher=] |date=2007-12-03 |first=Elena |last=Cruz}}</ref>

The ] reported in the 2007 episode "" of the documentary series '']'':<ref name="natgeo-1">{{cite web |url=http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/wild/3449/Overview#tab-Videos/03181_10 |title=Fishzilla: Snakehead Invasion |work=Wild |publisher=] }} Video clip titled: "The Northern Snakehead fish wreaks havoc".</ref>

{{blockquote|A Northern Snakehead reaches sexual maturity by age 2 or 3. 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 . . .

use a primitive lung above their gills... 'air chambers.'

Out of the water Snakeheads rhythmically move their fins and muscular bodies back and forth: the fish equivalent of walking . . . It's a resourceful adaptation.
}}

When the Snakehead eats it is a thrust predator. It will eat its prey all at once, striking and ingesting it whole.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

The ] (''Channa micropeltes'') is native throughout Asia, and is the most aggressive Snakehead. They can grow to around 1 meter in length. Adult Snakeheads force their young to breathe air by pushing them to the surface.

From 2002 to 2003, one Los Angeles supermarket was found to have sold approximately 25,000 dollars worth of illegal live Snakeheads which caused breakouts in local ].
<ref>
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news05/05009.html
</ref>

==History==
Channidae are well-represented in the fossil record and known from numerous specimens. Research indicates that snakeheads likely originated in the south Himalayan region of Indian subcontinent (modern-day Northern ] and Eastern ]) at least 50 million years ago, during the ] epoch. By 17 ], during the ], Channidae had spread into western and central Eurasia, and by 8 Ma, during the late ], they could be found throughout Africa and East Asia. <ref name="Böhme">{{cite journal |last=Böhme |first=Madelaine |year=2004 |month=May |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 ], which increased air humidity, and the intensification of the ], respectively. Both weather patterns emerged due to greater vertical growth of the ], ], and ], which affected Eurasian climactic patterns.<ref name="Böhme">{{cite journal |last=Böhme |first=Madelaine |year=2004 |month=May |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>

==Ecological concerns==
Snakeheads can become ] and cause ] because they are top-level predators, meaning that they have no natural enemies outside of their native environment. Not only can they breathe atmospheric air, but they can also survive on land for up to four days, provided they are wet, and are known to migrate up to 1/4 mile on wet land to other bodies of water by wriggling with their body and fins.

Snakeheads became a national news topic in the US because of the appearance of ]s spawning in a ], ] pond in 2002.<ref name="usgs2004">Courtenay, Jr., Walter R. and James D. Williams. . 2004-04-01. Retrieved 2007-07-16.</ref><ref name="natgeo">
Hillary Mayell. '']'', 02 July 2002.</ref> Northern snakeheads became permanently established in the ] around 2004,<ref name="baltsun"> Associated Press, ''Baltimore Sun'', 27 April 2007.</ref> and possibly established in ].<ref name="usgs2004" /> Apparently non-established specimens have been found in ], ], as well as ]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080806/NEWS/808060331|title=DEC sprays poison to kill snakeheads|publisher='']''|date=August 6, 2008|author=Yakin, Heather}}</ref>, two ponds outside ], ]<ref name="baltsun" /> a pond in ], and reservoirs in ] and ].<ref name="usgs2004" />

They are prohibited in several other countries,{{Fact|date=July 2007}} like ], because their introduction to new ecosystems may displace indigenous species. Humans have been introducing snakeheads to non-indigenous waters for over 100 years. In parts of Asia and Africa, the snakehead is considered a valuable food fish and is produced in ]. Due to this fact it was introduced either on purpose (fisheries motivation) or by ignorance (as was the case in Crofton).

Some examples of the introduction of snakeheads to non-indigeneous waters include:
* '']'' was introduced to ] and to ] around the end of the 19th century. It can still be found there today.
* '']'' was introduced to islands east of the ] by governmental programs in the later half of the 20th century. In ], the introduction failed.
* '']'', which is native to southern China, was introduced to ] and to southern ]. In this case the origin and reason of the introduction is unknown, but most probably due to human intervention.
* '']'', which is native to northern China (]), was introduced to Central Asia (], ], ]). It was introduced to ] about 100 years ago due to fisheries motivations. Its introduction to ] by the government in the 1960s failed due to cold winters.
A comprehensive work on the dangers of the introduction of snakeheads to non-indigeneous waters is .

===Sightings in the U.S.===
In what was determined by the ] to be an {{cite web |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=News&id=2277918&ft=med |title=isolated incident }}, a fisherman caught a single snakehead on October 9, 2004 while fishing from ] at Burnham Harbor in ], ]. Snakeheads have also been spotted in ], ],
], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ],
], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and
]. <ref name="time">{{cite news
| first = Jeffrey
| last = Kluger
| title = Fish Tale
| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002979-1,00.html
| work = Time Magazine
| date = 2002-08-05
| accessdate = 2008-02-22
}}
</ref><ref name="EPA"> Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref>

===Sighting in the UK===

On February 19, 2008, it was reported that a snakehead weighing almost {{lb to kg|num=3|precision=1}} was caught in the River Witham near ], ]. The ''Angler's Mail'' confirmed it was a giant snakehead '']''.<ref>{{cite news
| first = Paul
| last = Stokes
| title = Fish that attacks people caught in Witham
| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/02/20/eafish120.xml
| work = Telegraph
| date = 2008-02-20
| accessdate = 2008-02-22
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| first = Jeffrey
| last = Kluger
| title = Man-eating 'psycho' fish found in UK
| url = http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=100114&in_page_id=34
| work = Metro.co.uk
| publisher = Associated Newspapers
| date = 2008-02-19
| accessdate = 2008-02-22
}}
</ref> This subsequently turned out to be a ].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Clarke|first=Matt|title=Snakehead catch 'a hoax'|journal=Practical Fishkeeping|date=April 2008}}</ref> The ''Norfolk Eastern Daily Press'' reported in March:<ref>
{{cite news
| url = http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/sport/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=Sport&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=Sport&itemid=NOED04%20Mar%202008%2020%3A36%3A20%3A940
| title = Picture perfect haul delights Harris
| first= Roy | last= Webster
| work= Norfolk Eastern Daily Press
| date = 2008-03-05
| accessdate = 2008-04-01
}}
</ref> {{quote|Expert opinion from fish scientists insisted this warm water species could never survive in the icy Lincolnshire river for more than a few seconds. It has since been discovered the snakehead was actually dead laying in a Lincoln street and the finder preserved it in a domestic freezer until the following weekend when the misleading pictures were taken. }}

==In Popular Culture==

In TV ] series ] webisode ], the character of ] is blamed for introducing the Snakehead fish into the North American ecosystem.

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==References==
* {{FishBase family | family = Channidae | month = January | year = 2006}}
* {{ITIS | taxon = Channidae | ID = 166661 | date = 20 March | year = 2006}}

==External links==
{{wikispecies|Channidae}}
*
* world's largest website for snakeheads
*
*

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Revision as of 15:30, 12 May 2010

Snakehead
Northern snakehead, Channa argus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Channoidei
Family: Channidae
Genera

Channa
†Eochanna
Parachanna

Snakeheads (Channidae) are a family of freshwater fish native to Africa and Asia. These predatory fishes are distinguished by a long, sensual dorsal fin, large mouth and shiny teeth. They have a physiological need to breathe atmospheric air, which they do with a suprabranchial organ: a primitive form of a labyrinth organ. There are two extant genera, Channa in Asia, and Parachanna in Africa, consisting of 30-35 species.

They are considered valuable food fish. Called Ca Loc in Vietnamese, it is prized in clay pot dishes and pickled preparations. Larger species like Channa striata, Channa maculata, and Parachanna obscura are farmed in aquaculture. Snakeheads feed on plankton, aquatic insects, and mollusks when small. When adult, they mostly feed on other fish like carp, or frogs. In rare cases, small mammals such as rats are taken. The size of the snakehead species differs greatly. "Dwarf snakeheads" like Channa gachua grow to 10 inches (25 cm). Most snakeheads grow up to 2 or 3 feet (60–100 cm). Only two species (Channa marulius and Channa micropeltes) can reach a length of more than 1 meter and a weight of more than 6 kg.

It is illegal to keep snakeheads as pets in all states of the USA and other countries as they have become an invasive species due to individuals releasing them into the wild. In the U.S., National Geographic referred to snakeheads as "Fishzilla."

The National Geographic Channel reported in the 2007 episode "Fishzilla: Snakehead Invasion" of the documentary series Wild:

A Northern Snakehead reaches sexual maturity by age 2 or 3. 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 . . .

use a primitive lung above their gills... 'air chambers.'

Out of the water Snakeheads rhythmically move their fins and muscular bodies back and forth: the fish equivalent of walking . . . It's a resourceful adaptation.

When the Snakehead eats it is a thrust predator. It will eat its prey all at once, striking and ingesting it whole.

The giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes) is native throughout Asia, and is the most aggressive Snakehead. They can grow to around 1 meter in length. Adult Snakeheads force their young to breathe air by pushing them to the surface.

From 2002 to 2003, one Los Angeles supermarket was found to have sold approximately 25,000 dollars worth of illegal live Snakeheads which caused breakouts in local ecosystems.

History

Channidae are well-represented in the fossil record and known from numerous specimens. Research indicates that snakeheads likely originated in the south Himalayan region of Indian subcontinent (modern-day Northern India and Eastern Pakistan) at least 50 million years ago, during the Early Eocene epoch. By 17 Ma, during the Early Miocene, Channidae had spread into western and central Eurasia, and by 8 Ma, during the late Tortonian, they could be found throughout Africa and East Asia. 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 climactic patterns.

Ecological concerns

Snakeheads can become invasive species and cause ecological damage because they are top-level predators, meaning that they have no natural enemies outside of their native environment. Not only can they breathe atmospheric air, but they can also survive on land for up to four days, provided they are wet, and are known to migrate up to 1/4 mile on wet land to other bodies of water by wriggling with their body and fins.

Snakeheads became a national news topic in the US because of the appearance of northern snakeheads spawning in a Crofton, Maryland pond in 2002. Northern snakeheads became permanently established in the Potomac River around 2004, and possibly established in Florida. Apparently non-established specimens have been found in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, New York, as well as Wawayanda, New York, two ponds outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania a pond in Massachusetts, and reservoirs in California and North Carolina.

They are prohibited in several other countries, like Australia, because their introduction to new ecosystems may displace indigenous species. Humans have been introducing snakeheads to non-indigenous waters for over 100 years. In parts of Asia and Africa, the snakehead is considered a valuable food fish and is produced in aquacultures. Due to this fact it was introduced either on purpose (fisheries motivation) or by ignorance (as was the case in Crofton).

Some examples of the introduction of snakeheads to non-indigeneous 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 later 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. In this case the origin and reason of the introduction is unknown, but most probably due to human intervention.
  • 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 due to cold winters.

A comprehensive work on the dangers of the introduction of snakeheads to non-indigeneous waters is that of Prof. W. Courtenay.

Sightings in the U.S.

In what was determined by the Army Corps of Engineers to be an "isolated incident"., a fisherman caught a single snakehead on October 9, 2004 while fishing from Lake Michigan at Burnham Harbor in Chicago, Illinois. Snakeheads have also been spotted in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington.

Sighting in the UK

On February 19, 2008, it was reported that a snakehead weighing almost Template:Lb to kg was caught in the River Witham near North Hykeham, Lincolnshire. The Angler's Mail confirmed it was a giant snakehead Channa micropeltes. This subsequently turned out to be a hoax. The Norfolk Eastern Daily Press reported in March:

Expert opinion from fish scientists insisted this warm water species could never survive in the icy Lincolnshire river for more than a few seconds. It has since been discovered the snakehead was actually dead laying in a Lincoln street and the finder preserved it in a domestic freezer until the following weekend when the misleading pictures were taken.

In Popular Culture

In TV mockumentary series The Office webisode Blackmail, the character of Creed Bratton is blamed for introducing the Snakehead fish into the North American ecosystem.

Notes

  1. ^ "Fishzilla: Snakehead Invasion". Wild. National Geographic Channel. Video clip titled: "The Northern Snakehead fish wreaks havoc".
  2. "Fishzilla". Nat Geo Wild. NGC-UK Partnership.
  3. Cruz, Elena (2007-12-03). "Snakehead Frenzy!". NGC Blog. National Geographic Channel.
  4. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news05/05009.html
  5. ^ Böhme, Madelaine (2004). "Migration history of air-breathing fishes reveals Neogene atmospheric circulation patterns". Geology. 32 (5): 393–396. doi:10.1130/G20316.1. Retrieved 2008-07-09. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Courtenay, Jr., Walter R. and James D. Williams. 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 2007-07-16.
  7. Maryland Wages War on Invasive Walking Fish Hillary Mayell. National Geographic, 02 July 2002.
  8. ^ Potomac snakeheads not related to others Associated Press, Baltimore Sun, 27 April 2007.
  9. Yakin, Heather (August 6, 2008). "DEC sprays poison to kill snakeheads". The Times Herald Record. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. Kluger, Jeffrey (2002-08-05). "Fish Tale". Time Magazine. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  11. Injurious Wildlife Species; Snakeheads Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  12. Stokes, Paul (2008-02-20). "Fish that attacks people caught in Witham". Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  13. Kluger, Jeffrey (2008-02-19). "Man-eating 'psycho' fish found in UK". Metro.co.uk. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  14. Clarke, Matt (April 2008). "Snakehead catch 'a hoax'". Practical Fishkeeping.
  15. Webster, Roy (2008-03-05). "Picture perfect haul delights Harris". Norfolk Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 2008-04-01.

References

External links

Categories: