Do You Know the Difference?

For the latest news and information on the snakehead fish in Virginia, please see the Snakehead Fish News & Information page.

Northern Snakehead

As a family, snakeheads are native to parts of Asia and Africa. The northern snakehead is native to China, and possibly Korea and Russia.
Typically found in a wide variety of habitats
Northern snakeheads grow to a maximum length of about 33 inches
Generally tan in appearance, with dark brown mottling; body somewhat elongated; long dorsal fin; jaws contain numerous canine-like teeth (similar to pike or pickerel)
Capable of breathing air using an air bladder that works as a primitive lung (not found in most fish)
Able to hibernate in cracks and crevices during cold temperatures and to go dormant in the mud during droughts
Voracious top-level predator, eating mostly fish, but also eats other aquatic wildlife and frogs
Capable of moving short distances on land using its pectoral fins; can live out of water for as many as three days
Favored as a food fish throughout southeast Asia; also believed to have curative powers. Also sold in the aquarium trade.
Four species have been found in the U.S., in eight states, probably the result of releases from personal aquariums or to develop local food sources
No natural predators in the U.S.

In Virginia, native to the Coastal Plain and possibly lower Piedmont; occasionally found in other parts of the state
Typically associated with swamps and sluggish open marsh-fringed rivers; found in both shallower and deeper waters in Virginia
Grows to a maximum length of about 32 inches
Generally tan-olive in appearance, with dark olive reticulation; body somewhat elongated; long dorsal fin; bony scales; jaws contain small canine and peglike teeth; black spot at the base of the tail (more prominent in males)
Capable of breathing surface air using an air bladder as a lung (not found in most fish)
Able to withstand periodic droughts by going dormant in the mud
Nocturnal, but most active at dusk and dawn; predatory generalist eating fish, aquatic invertebrates and frogs

Native to most of Virginia, as far west as the New River system; not known from southwestern Virginia
Typically associated with a range of habitats, including mountain streams, warm lakes, estuaries and the ocean
Grows to a maximum length of approximately 40 inches
Ranging from olive-brown to yellow-olive to almost black in appearance, with silver sheen on lower side; body very elongated; no pelvic fin; long dorsal and anal fins, converging with the caudal fin to create the appearance of one continuous fin; jaws with small teeth

Native to coastal Virginia; migrates to spawn
Grows to 12-20 inches in length; eel-like body
Circle-shaped mouth full of teeth
Dark brown to black backs and light yellow to pale brown bellies; large reddish eyes

Exotic species like snakeheads may have significant impacts in the U.S., including:

Impacts to local fish populations through predation or displacement and competition for food; disruption of native aquatic systems
Transmission of parasites or diseases, including those affecting humans
Potential impacts on local economies dependent on fishing or related resources

If you find a snakehead fish, kill it and put it on ice, then contact the Department toll-free at 1-800-770-4951.
If you can no longer care for an exotic pet, contact the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at (804) 367-1000 or dgifweb@dgif.virginia.gov for assistance.