Environment

Asian Snakehead Fish Found in Maryland River, Scientists Say It’s Aggressive and Spreading

Asian Snakehead Fish Found in Maryland River, Scientists Say Its Aggressive and Spreading

A mature, egg-bearing northern snakehead has been discovered by scientists in a river just south of Annapolis, MD. The toothy and aggressive fish is a native of Asia, and believed to be rapidly breeding. It was first discovered and quickly eradicated in a pond back in 2002, only to be found in Potomac River tributaries in Maryland and Virginia two years later. National Geographic on the ferocious species:

When the 23-inch creature was found by biologists from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center surveying the Rhode River last Thursday, immediate concerns were raised on the possibility that low salinity in the Chesapeake Bay this year may has allowed the invasive fish to escape from the Potomac River. From the Baltimore Sun:

“Scientists have long believed that the salinity of the bay would keep snakeheads bottled up in the Potomac River. But last year, watermen found them in St. Jerome Creek, past Point Lookout on the bay side.

Finding this fish, said Havard, ‘was very disconcerting, especially when we found it was an egg-bearing female. I think there’s concern across the board.’”

The snakehead is a predator that can overwhelm the habitat and push out local fish.  Scientists believe that near-record levels of runoff into the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay this year may have given the fish a path to infest other bodies of water. Congress has already initiated “The Northern Snakehead Control and Management Plan,“ after members become alarmed by the ”potential impact on native fish populations,” that snakeheads found in Maryland and six different states across the country could have.

Not all locals have frowned on the new fish, as one chef experiments if the snakehead could find its way on menus next to crab cakes as a Maryland specialty.

Comments (82)

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  • NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:15pm

    Nice! Another foreign species brought here, along with too many to list, plants and animals included.

    Report Post »  
    • USAMama
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:55pm

      Why are you such a species-ist? The fish just wanted to come to America for a better life for it and it’s children. The other fish should learn to accept this new fish, learn it’s culture and conform to make it feel more welcome. Sure, it‘s eating them and destroying their homes but that’s because it didn’t have the same opportunities as the other fish who just happened to be lucky enough to be born in America. Instead of condemning this fish we should try to understand why it feels so much anger and hurt, we should reach out to the fish and offer it help! ;)

      Report Post » USAMama  
    • PelositheGreat
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:08pm

      Wait, we cant just kill them. We need a three environmental impact study to see if they affect the other fish negatively, and the counseling to make sure their feelings arn’t hurt.

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on July 20, 2011 at 2:46am

      no worse than the piranhas in Washington. They feed on the innocent and keep growing because of it. One day we will get tired of the feeding and fish the waters clean….

      Report Post »  
    • Favored93
      Posted on July 20, 2011 at 3:36pm

      USAMama
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:55pm

      Why are you such a species-ist? The fish just wanted to come to America for a better life for it and it’s children. The other fish should learn to accept this new fish, learn it’s culture and conform to make it feel more welcome. Sure, it‘s eating them and destroying their homes but that’s because it didn’t have the same opportunities as the other fish who just happened to be lucky enough to be born in America. Instead of condemning this fish we should try to understand why it feels so much anger and hurt, we should reach out to the fish and offer it help! ;)
      ————————————————————————————————————————————————-
      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
      I have nothing to add just thought it a genius post and worth re posting!

      Report Post » Favored93  
  • Bill Rowland
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:09pm

    Isn’t it nice that the snakehead chose the tpbe close to the other snakes by the Potomac. They are all parasites destroying everything in site

    Report Post »  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:54pm

    That fish is a problem.

    It is essentially a giant mudfish with piranha teeth, and large as an eel.

    Is it edible?

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • paperpushermj
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:28pm

    It’s not just an Asian fish thats Aggressive and spreading.

    Report Post » paperpushermj  
  • TwoMinuteMan
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:25pm

    Just wait until someone hooks a good size Bull Shark somewhere in americas heartland rivers.

    Report Post » TwoMinuteMan  
  • heyjim55
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:25pm

    These fish are brought in by mostly Chinese tropical fish merchants and a few private citizens that buy them when they are small and then realize that they can not keep them after they grow to adult size and release them into a local waterway. Florida already has a problem with them and I am sure they will turn up all over the country. Black market operations that act as a tropical fish store are usually the culprits, one was recently arrested in New York he had over 30 of them in his store. Bucket biologist’s are also a problem when it comes to introducing a new species of fish into a lake or river. In my state someone introduced Pike into a small trout pond that also held some sun fish and it wasn’t long before Fish and Wildlife closed the pond and killed all of the fish in it it was the only to stop the Pike from overtaking the pond and then move into another nearby lake that was connected to this pond by springs. Fish and Wildlife biologists are far more qualified to introduce a new species into lakes and streams than regular citizens, you can destroy an entire fishery by introducing a game fish into a body of water that can’t support it or naturally maintain a balnace between it and other species.

    Report Post »  
    • Shady
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:47pm

      Are they delicious?

      Report Post » Shady  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 20, 2011 at 1:09am

      How do the Asians handle these aggressive fish? If they are that aggressive then the only fish in Asia are Snakeheads by now. Didn’t (or don’t) we also have a problem with a snail species from Asia taking over lakes in the USA?

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • chips1
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:19pm

    The Kenyan Snakehead is more dangerous and spreads faster.

    Report Post »  
  • Maggie in Indiana
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:00pm

    All right! Target practise! kill em all, problem solved.

    Report Post » Maggie in Indiana  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:07pm

      This fish is no joke! It has to be removed permantly! See, stuff like this a conservative can agree with, but a liberal would take it to another level like making it illegal to catch sunfish in NY just because it has nothing to do with snakeheads!

      Report Post »  
  • godhatesacoward
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:59pm

    old, old, very old news.

    Report Post » godhatesacoward  
    • Inbred Jed
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:29pm

      Agreed, I have caught 2 snakeheads in the Potomac about 75 miles north of Washington DC. Ugly fish but pretty tasty. Still catching plenty of Small Mouth Bass and Eastern Chain Pickerel as well.

      Report Post » Inbred Jed  
  • 264win
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:51pm

    The Camel’s Nose In The Tent.

    One cold night, as an Arab sat in his tent, a camel gently thrust his nose under the flap and looked in. “Master,” he said, “let me put my nose in your tent. It’s cold and stormy out here.“ ”By all means,” said the Arab, “and welcome” as he turned over and went to sleep.
    A little later the Arab awoke to find that the camel had not only put his nose in the tent but his head and neck also. The camel, who had been turning his head from side to side, said, “I will take but little more room if I place my forelegs within the tent. It is difficult standing out here.“ ”Yes, you may put your forelegs within,” said the Arab, moving a little to make room, for the tent was small.
    Finally, the camel said, “May I not stand wholly inside? I keep the tent open by standing as I do.“ ”Yes, yes,” said the Arab. “Come wholly inside. Perhaps it will be better for both of us.” So the camel crowded in. The Arab with difficulty in the crowded quarters again went to sleep. When he woke up the next time, he was outside in the cold and the camel had the tent to himself.

    Report Post »  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on July 21, 2011 at 9:00am

      Thats an OLD story, pal! The new version goes like this. The camels head gets in the tent, the arab calls the USDA and gets subsidized “camel housing adjustment”. The storm allows the arab to qualify for disater assistance, allowing him to get a “temporay housing facilitites”, EBT, and a supplemental fuel assitance. Becuse this storm is taking place in Gaza, the arab is selected for emmigration status. He’s currently living in public housing in Wayzetta, MN and trying to get used to ice fishing

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
  • 264win
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:48pm

    This has to be a Hispanic fish.
    Illegal Aliens or Asian Snake fish there is now defiance.
    Could this be part of the fish Dream Act?

    Report Post »  
  • Richard Compton
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:46pm

    Come on this is a really old stroy, heck they did a discovery channel thing on it years ago!

    Report Post »  
  • catfanatic1979v1
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:29pm

    Never fear! Obama shall issue a bounty for the snakehead fish and Boba Fett will save us all! LOL

    Report Post »  
  • dkoby
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:26pm

    Wat to stay on top of things Blaze, it’s only been a story for about 10 years

    Report Post »  
    • xoke
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:11pm

      I don‘t think it’s ever been that far North, that’s why the story is being re-hashed. It’s been in Florida for YEARS.

      Report Post » xoke  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:13pm

    just go away

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • The46Percent2008
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:12pm

    I hope you all are prepared for hard times. When people stop getting their welfare checks, all hell will break loose! Oh, and this fish is pretty scary…how did it get here?

    Report Post » The46Percent2008  
    • chazman
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:26pm

      Yeah, the Red Menace Chinese love this fish. So, if it’s good enough for commies, it must be good enough for … liberal marxist’! Snakefish filet’s for everybody!! COME AND GET IT!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • kindling
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:11pm

    It is a progressive fish, it will eat everything around it and then eat its own. Then when they have destroyed the entire fish nation, the rivers can start over again.

    Report Post » kindling  
  • Witness1974
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:08pm

    If only it were a fish-headed snake that would drive all the snakes out, especially the two-legged kind.

    Report Post »  
  • fblair
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:02pm

    I was in Maryland 10 years ago and they had just found one in a small pond. I guess they did not catch them all then.

    Report Post »  
  • SlimnRanger
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:53pm

    I wonder if there is anyway to stop this fish from over populating?

    Report Post »  
    • GadsdenPatriot
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:59pm

      Vote conservative in 2012, that’s how.

      Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
    • 408 CheyTac
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:02pm

      Her in MN the invasive aquatic species are really making a mess of it all.

      more illegal aliens invading the place. good grief, when will it end?

      Report Post »  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:03pm

      Blaze do your research this is old news
      they found these fish in MD way back in 2004
      http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1126722/posts

      how about you do a story on the Bohemian Grove jul 13 2011 ????

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • Salamander
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:09pm

      Marry one and take it out of circulation!

      Report Post »  
    • jtchodgie
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:45pm

      Her what in MN?

      Report Post » jtchodgie  
    • Dabldo
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:51pm

      Sure there is a way to stop them from over populating!! Put a planned parenthood fish on every tributary and under every dock handing out condoms. The goverment would love finding new employees to subsidise. OH! Darn. They would be subsidizing AGAINST illegal (fish) aliens.
      Darn! That would create a liberal conundrum. Ah, never fear! Pelosi can handle that.

      Report Post »  
  • ProbIemSoIver
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:53pm

    Here is a Conspiracy Scenario. The NWO released these to eat up the fresh water fish supply, So that we will not be able to get food in time of need. lol

    Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:24pm

      Back during the financial crisis of 2008, the American people were told that the largest banks in the United States were “too big to fail” and that was why it was necessary for the federal government to step in and bail them out. The idea was that if several of our biggest banks collapsed at the same time the financial system would not be strong enough to keep things going and economic activity all across America would simply come to a standstill. Congress was told that if the “too big to fail” banks did not receive bailouts that there would be chaos in the streets and this country would plunge into another Great Depression. Since that time, however, essentially no efforts have been made to decentralize the U.S. banking system. Instead, the “too big to fail” banks just keep getting larger and larger and larger. Back in 2002, the top 10 banks controlled 55 percent of all U.S. banking assets. Today, the top 10 banks control 77 percent of all U.S. banking assets. Unfortunately, these giant banks are also colossal mountains of risk, debt and leverage. They are incredibly unstable and they could start coming apart again at any time. None of the major problems that caused the crash of 2008 have been fixed. In fact, the U.S. banking system is more centralized and more vulnerable today than it ever has been before.
      http://www.infowars.com/too-big-to-fail-10-banks-own-77-percent-of-all-u-s-banking-assets-2/

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • ILUVAMERICA
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:27pm

      @tower
      Thank You for the USEFUL information!
      Truly, Thank You

      Report Post » ILUVAMERICA  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:59pm

      ILUVAMERICA thank you and I agree you have been calling Obama a dictator
      from the beginning

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • Broncobuster
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:52pm

    Animal cruelty video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPGmvemG6fk&feature=player_embedded#at=67

    Report Post »  
    • 408 CheyTac
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:05pm

      the bass is already dead, idiot

      Report Post »  
    • jtchodgie
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:59pm

      408 CheyTac
      Idiot, I assume that before, you were attempting to say “Here in MN”. Learn to spell before you call others names.

      Report Post » jtchodgie  
    • Salamander
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:15pm

      The bass was NOT dead–you could see it twitching near the end of the video! (Kind of like a half-order of sushi from a live tank!)

      Report Post »  
  • Impossible-Right-Wing-Mission-Force
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:49pm

    I wish more Republicans could grow a mouth full of teeth like that it might offset the shrunken dingle-berries that seems to pervade the politicians of our party.

    Report Post »  
  • Maxim Crux
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:42pm

    Of course it would be discovered in the place where most snakes can be found

    Report Post »  
  • GadsdenPatriot
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:35pm

    I always knew inexplicably that that is what the inside of Nancy Pelosi’s mouth looks like. Demonrats, all of them!

    Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:47pm

      If they breed like illegal mexicans were in trouble

      Report Post »  
    • I.Gaspar
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 7:58pm

      I‘m sure that looks like a part of pelousy’s body…but not her mouth.

      Report Post »  
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