Northern Snakehead
Channa argus · also called snakehead, snakehead fish, Amur snakehead and eastern snakehead · Last checked November 3, 2026.
The northern snakehead is a long, brown, blotchy freshwater fish from Asia (China, Russia and Korea), not a snake. It is an invasive predator in the US: USGS lists it as established in Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Arkansas, and USGS has records from 11 other states plus Washington, DC. It breathes air, can survive out of water for days, and has many sharp teeth; Texas Parks and Wildlife notes snakeheads have bitten people who got too close to a guarded nest. It is federally listed as injurious wildlife, and state agencies ask anglers not to release one and to report it. US Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database
On this page
Is the northern snakehead dangerous?
Texas Parks and Wildlife: all snakeheads are aggressive predators that may eliminate other fishes where they invade, and they have been known to bite people who get too close to a guarded nest. No official source checked describes any other danger to people or pets. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
“All snakeheads are aggressive predators and may eliminate other fishes in the waters they invade. They have even been known to bite humans who get too close to a guarded nest.”
Bites and stings: Texas Parks and Wildlife: snakeheads have been known to bite people who get too close to a guarded nest. Several agencies describe many sharp, canine-like teeth.
How to identify a northern snakehead
A photo or description can narrow it down, but cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Look from a distance and do not handle wild animals.
Size: Over 33 inches (85 cm) maximum per USGS; Virginia DWR gives about 36 inches and 18 pounds; MDC says commonly up to 10-12 pounds, with US catches near 20 pounds. US Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database
Colors: brown, tan and green. Pattern: blotched and mottled.
Key features
- Long, thin body with one dorsal fin running the length of the back. US Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database
- Torpedo-shaped body; long dorsal AND anal fins without spines; toothed jaws; flattened, pointy head with long lower jaw. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- MDC key identifiers: pelvic fins close to the pectoral fins and gills, no black spot at the base of the tail, many small sharp jaw teeth. MDC
- Rounded tail and a large mouth reaching past the eye (Delaware DNREC). Delaware DNREC, Division of Fish and Wildlife
- Enlarged scales on the head and no bony plate between the lower jaw bones (TPWD). Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Young
Juveniles look like adults (USGS); Delaware says they are generally lighter tan or yellowish.
Animals mistaken for the northern snakehead
Northern Snakehead or Bowfin?
Look at the fins: snakeheads have pelvic fins right behind the pectoral fins and a long anal fin nearly as long as the dorsal fin; bowfin have pelvic fins farther back and a short anal fin. Bowfin also have no scales on the head, bony plates between the lower jaw bones, often a black eyespot at the base of the tail (TPWD: in males only) and peg-like (not pointed) jaw teeth (MDC). US Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database
Native fish, often mistaken for snakeheads. TPWD: 'Native species, not prohibited in Texas.' Georgia DNR asks anglers to rule out bowfin before reporting.
Northern Snakehead or Burbot?
Burbot have one chin barbel (whisker) and two dorsal fins; snakeheads have neither (PFBC). USGS also calls burbot very similar to the northern snakehead. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Native. In Pennsylvania, burbot are an endangered species in inland waters and must be returned to the water unharmed: do not mistake one for a snakehead and keep it.
Where the northern snakehead lives
- Native or listed
- Nonnative or not established
- No official record in our data
- 1–9
- 10–99
- 100–999
- 1,000+
State boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau, cartographic boundary file cb_2024_us_state_20m.
When it is active
Uses deeper water in winter and shallow, weedy areas in the spawning season (USGS). Virginia DWR: can hibernate in cracks and crevices in cold weather and go dormant in mud during droughts. US Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database
US open-licence records peak in March and June to August.
Habitat and habits
Habitat: Prefers stagnant, shallow ponds and swamps with mud bottoms or plants, and slow muddy streams; also canals, reservoirs, lakes and rivers. Freshwater, though Maryland DNR says a few snakeheads may tolerate low salinity; Delaware says they do not occur in saltwater. US Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database
Behavior: Breathes air, so it survives in low-oxygen water. USGS: can live up to four days out of water. Maryland DNR: several days if the skin stays moist.
Diet: Adults eat almost only fish (over 97% of the diet), plus crustaceans, frogs, small reptiles and sometimes small birds and mammals. Young start on zooplankton, then insects and small crustaceans.
Young: In the US, spawning starts by late April, peaks in June and runs through August (Delaware: April to September). Females build floating nests from plants; up to five spawns a year. Both parents guard the eggs and young for weeks.
Legal status and reporting
Federal: Injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act (50 CFR 16.13): importing, transporting or acquiring live snakeheads (all Channa and Parachanna) or their viable eggs is prohibited except under permit. Listed in 2002 (MDC: since October 2002). US Fish and Wildlife Service
Invasive status: Invasive. USGS lists it as exotic; state agencies (NY, MD, MO, DE, VA, PA and others) call it invasive. NYSDEC
Report: Do not release it; report it to the state wildlife agency. Pennsylvania: PFBC 814-359-5163. Virginia: DWR 804-367-2925. Missouri: MDC Southeast Regional Office (573) 290-5730. Delaware: [email protected], 302-735-8654 or 302-739-9914. Texas: photos to [email protected]. New York: photos to DEC or iMapInvasives. Georgia: the regional WRD Fisheries Office. Maryland: harvest it; if tagged, call the number on the tag. Several agencies (DE, MO, VA for kept fish, NY) tell anglers to kill it; MDC: do not toss it on the bank, since it can get back into water. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Questions about the northern snakehead
Northern snakehead
A freshwater fish from China, Russia and Korea (not a snake) that is invasive in the US. USGS lists it as established in Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Arkansas. It is federally listed as injurious wildlife, and states ask anglers not to release one and to report it.
Snakehead fish
Snakeheads (family Channidae) are long, torpedo-shaped fish with long dorsal and anal fins and toothed jaws. They breathe air and can live out of water for days. The northern snakehead is the species spreading in US waters; all snakeheads are federally injurious wildlife.
Snakehead fish maryland
Yes. Maryland DNR lists the northern snakehead (which it calls 'Chesapeake Channa') as invasive in Central, Southern and Eastern Maryland. It is firmly established in over 60 river miles of the Potomac. DNR says: if you catch one, harvest it; if tagged, call the number on the tag.
Snakehead fish pa
Yes. PFBC first confirmed northern snakeheads in Pennsylvania in 2004 in Philadelphia's Meadow Lake, and they have since been found in the lower Schuylkill and Delaware rivers and the Conowingo Reservoir on the Susquehanna. Live snakeheads are illegal to possess in Pennsylvania. Don't release one: report it to PFBC at 814-359-5163.
Snakehead new jersey
Yes. USGS lists the northern snakehead as established in New Jersey, with records from 2009 to 2025, and NJDEP lists it among the state's commonly encountered invasive animals.
Snakehead fish texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife says no snakeheads have been found in Texas waters to date, though northern snakeheads have invaded Arkansas and Louisiana. All snakeheads are prohibited in Texas. If you think you caught one, don't release it: send photos to [email protected].
Snakehead fish florida
For the northern snakehead, USGS lists only a single Florida record (2000, upper St. Johns) and says it is not established there. FWC lists snakeheads (Channa sp.) among Florida's nonnative fish and puts all snakeheads on its Prohibited Species List. Other snakehead species are not covered by this page.
Snakehead fish teeth
Northern snakeheads have many sharp, canine-like teeth, similar to pike or pickerel (Virginia DWR, MDC, Delaware DNREC). Bowfin, a native lookalike, have peglike teeth instead (MDC). TPWD notes snakeheads have bitten people who got too close to a guarded nest.
Snakehead fish walking on land
Agencies differ. USGS says northern snakeheads can survive up to four days out of water but only juveniles can move overland; Delaware DNREC says they cannot 'walk' but can wriggle short distances; Texas Parks and Wildlife says the species can cross land by wriggling or 'walking' on its pectoral fins.
Baby snakehead fish
Young northern snakeheads look like adults (USGS); Delaware says they are lighter tan or yellowish. Both parents guard the eggs and young for several weeks. Fry eat zooplankton, then small insects and crustaceans.
Sources
- Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) - Species Profile. U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database. Revision Date 12/22/2025; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (9)
“Maximum size exceeds 85 cm (33 inches).”
“A long, thin fish with a single dorsal fin running the length of the fish.”
“Juveniles have a similar color and pattern as the adults.”
“Although this species prefers to live in stagnant shallow (< 2 m) ponds or swamps with mud substrate or aquatic vegetation and slow muddy streams, it also occurs in canals, reservoirs, lakes, and rivers”
“Adult snakeheads feed almost exclusively on other fishes (>97% of diet), with the remainder of their diet composed of crustaceans, frogs, small reptiles, and sometimes small birds and mammals”
“Channa argus is an obligate air-breather, capable of survival in poorly oxygenated waters.”
“…utilizing deeper water in winter months and shallow areas with macrophytes during the spawning season”
“In the U.S., Northern Snakehead spawning has been observed to start by the end of April, peak in June, and continue through August”
“Snakeheads can be distinguished from Bowfin by the position of pelvic fins (directly behind pectoral fins in snakeheads, farther back on body in Bowfin) and the size of the anal fin (elongate and similar in size to dorsal fin in snakeheads, short and much smaller than dorsal fin in Bowfin).”
- The Snakehead Threat. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“All snakeheads are aggressive predators and may eliminate other fishes in the waters they invade. They have even been known to bite humans who get too close to a guarded nest.”
- Snakeheads. Virginia DWR. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
- 50 CFR Part 16, Injurious Wildlife (eCFR). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Code of Federal Regulations, via eCFR). current eCFR text as retrieved 2026-11-03; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“(B) Channa argus (Northern or Amur snakehead).”
- Snakehead. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (3)
“All Snakeheads are distinguished by their torpedo shaped body, long dorsal and anal fins without spines, and toothed jaws. Northern Snakeheads are typically distinguished by a flattened, pointy head with long lower jaws.”
“Anglers suspecting they have caught a Snakehead are encouraged to NOT release it, and report it to the Commission at 814-359-5163 or complete this form.”
“Burbots have a single barbel (whisker) on the chin and the presence of two dorsal fins. Neither Bowfin or Snakeheads have these characteristics.”
- Northern Snakehead (MDC Field Guide species account). Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Pelvic fins are located close to pectoral fins and gills … No black spot at base of tail … Many small, sharp jaw teeth”
- Angler Alert: Snakeheads. Delaware DNREC, Division of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Northern Snakehead are identified by long dorsal (back) and long anal fins, a rounded tail, and a large mouth that extends beyond the eye.”
- Bowfin vs. Snakeheads: Distinguishing Features. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Enlarged scales on head … No bony plates between lower jaw bones”
- Northern Snakehead. NYSDEC. archived copy, captured October 24, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“It is crucial that we stop the spread of this invasive predator to protect the health of our waters, wildlife and fishing industry.”
- Invasive and Exotic Species in Maryland: Animals. Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). archived copy, captured May 15, 2026; checked November 3, 2026. Archived copy.
- Chesapeake Channa (Northern Snakehead). Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). archived copy, captured April 16, 2026; checked November 3, 2026. Archived copy.
- Invasive Animals and Pests. NJDEP. archived copy, captured February 24, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
- Species Not Native to Florida. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). archived copy, captured September 9, 2025; checked November 3, 2026. Archived copy.
- Prohibited Nonnative Species List. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. archived copy, captured September 21, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
- GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.
- State boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau, cartographic boundary file cb_2024_us_state_20m.