Anglers taking to the lakes and rivers this summer will want to keep an eye out for what officials are nicknaming the “Frankenfish,” saying that the fish shouldn’t be thrown back once it has been reeled in.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Invasive Species Information Center, the Frankenfish, actually named the northern snakehead fish, is not as normal as it may seem.
Officials have warned that the fish has the ability to breathe air, allowing it to leave its body of water and slither onto land to find a better water source to call home.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife shared that the snakehead can survive for up to four days out of water, being that it can stay moist.
The freshwater fish is initially from East Asia and is considered invasive because of how it preys on and competes with native species in the U.S., the invasive species information center shared.
The species was first discovered in California in 1997 but now has been observed in 16 other states.
According to the U.S. Geological Society, the Frankenfish has been observed in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Growing up to almost three feet in length, the northern snakehead has brown skin and dark spots that make it resemble a snake, as well as a dorsal fin that runs the length of its body, the society shared.
While the fish has been spotted in canals, rivers, reservoirs, and lakes, officials note that they mainly prefer shallow, stagnant ponds, swamps, and slow, muddy streams.
Officials shared that if you catch a Frankenfish, it shouldn’t be released back in the water, or thrown on land, as it can still survive.
Instead, the USGS is recommending killing the fish by putting it in a freezer or on top of ice for an extended period of time.
Anglers are also being asked to photograph the fish while noting its size, where it was caught, and how many were near it.
To report a catch, fishermen are asked to contact their nearest fish and game agency or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 703-358-2148.
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