Northern Snakeheads Confirmed in Concordia Parish Louisiana
Eugene L. 06.28.23
A video of two Northern Snakeheads and a ball of fry that was reportedly taken in Old River in Concordia Parish was verified by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Northern Snakeheads (Channa argus) are a species of snakehead native to Asia, and capable of living in colder climates unlike most of the Channa genus of fish. They are a highly predatory species that can often outcompete and prey upon native species. Their diet consists mostly of fish, but they will often eat other aquatic animals such as frogs and crawfish. They are capable of surviving in low oxygen conditions with their labyrinth organ that acts as a sort of lung. While stories of them surviving on and crossing over land are overblown, they are capable of short stints out of water. Due to being considered an invasive species, the snakehead situation will be monitored by the LDWF closely.
“Snakeheads could potentially get a foothold in our state, but we do not expect them to have major impacts to our native fish,” said LDWF’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator Robert Bourgeois. “In other states where snakeheads are already present, there has not been major impact on native fish. Unlike invasive carp, they are slower at reproducing.”
Northern Snakeheads have been reported in 11 other states in the continental US. They were originally released into the wild through fish markets and the aquarium trade. But the possession, trade, and transportation has been illegal in Louisiana for many years now, so it is likely they migrated to Louisiana from Mississippi or Arkansas. It should be noted that Northern Snakeheads closely resemble Louisiana’s native Bowfin (Choupique) species. So please don’t kill indiscriminately without properly identifying the fish. If you do encounter a northern snakehead make sure to note the exact location of the catch and report it to the LDWF. They are legal to harvest and make excellent table fare.
However, you can identify a snakehead by its long, extended anal fin, a lower jaw that protrudes past the upper jaw, and the lack of a black spot at the base of its tail. You can see an illustration of these fish on this brochure: Snakehead_Brochure.pdf (louisiana.gov)
If you have information, or if you think you have caught a Northern Snakehead, please do NOT return it to the water. Take a side view photo of the fish (if possible), kill it, double bag it and freeze it. Then contact Rob Bourgeois, LDWF Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator at rbourgeois@wlf.la.gov or 225-765-0765 or contact the LDWF aquatic invasive species hotline at 225-765-3977 email at AquaticInvasives@la.gov.
