This creepy fish is invading US rivers — and experts are advising people to kill it immediately

It looks like something out of a horror movie — long, slimy, sharp-toothed, and capable of breathing air. Meet the northern snakehead , a freakish fish that’s slithering its way into rivers and lakes across the United States. But this isn't just a strange wildlife encounter — it's an ecological emergency .

What is the northern snakehead?
Native to Asia, the northern snakehead first turned up in U.S. waters in 2002, in a Maryland pond. Since then, it's crept through waterways into Pennsylvania, the Potomac River, and now, Missouri. Officials in the southeastern part of the state have confirmed sightings since 2019 and are now urging the public — especially recreational fishers — to help stop its spread.

The snakehead is a type of fish that can survive on on land for four days and has the face of a snake. (Image: Wie146) pic.twitter.com/6hG9jgnClA

— Quite Interesting (@qikipedia) October 12, 2019

“These fish are outside their natural environment, where predators and prey keep each other in check,” explained Angela Sokolowski, invasive species coordinator for the Missouri Department of Conservation to the New York Times. “Here, they can grow fast, reproduce quickly, and outcompete native species for food and space.”

Snakeheads aren’t picky eaters either. From small fish to crayfish and other aquatic creatures, they’ll eat anything they can catch. And since they have no competition, they are growing at an alarming rate and are disrupting the ecosystem.

Snakeheads can breathe air — and that’s a problem
Not just that the snakehead is also capable of surviving on land for extended periods. Unlike most fish, the northern snakehead can breathe atmospheric oxygen, allowing it to stay alive in shallow, low-oxygen water — and even outside water altogether.


“Some people think tossing one in a cooler of ice will kill it. But these fish can survive like that for days,” Sokolowski warned. That’s why the Missouri Department of Conservation — along with other state agencies — is asking anglers to actively kill snakeheads.

How did they get here?
Experts believe that there are two likely paths. Some snakeheads were imported for the live fish market, where they were sold as food. Others made their way into the aquarium trade. Eventually, whether by accident or intention, some of these fish were released into the wild. From there, they adapted — and spread.



As per reports, now is one of the best times to spot northern snakeheads. That’s because they’re in full parenting mode. One thing about snakeheads is that they care too much about their offspring. Their tiny ones-known as fry- are kept together in a cluster and the parents guard them and will attack anything if they feel threatened by it in order to protect their kids.

What to do if you catch one
Don’t just toss it back or leave it on ice. Officials recommend severing the head of the fish and then further disemboweling its inside to ensure that it's completely dead.