Aquatic Invasive Species

Smithsonian, February 2005
Aquatic invasive species are a serious threat to environments that they infringe upon since many of them tend to be competitors with many of the native species present. Studies done on the Northern Snakehead (Channa argus), also known as “Frankenfish” have shown that many North America water bodies are in danger of invasion by this crafty critter. One of the main concerns scientists have concerning this predator are due to its ability to survive for extended periods of time out of water, in turn being able to effectively move from one body of water to another via land.
In a study done by H. Fields at the Smithsonian, it was discovered that the Northern Snakehead has in fact invaded the Potomac River and is either eating other fish or outcompeting them for food. Some who oppose the spread of this invader suggest the use of poisons to eradicate the Snakehead population, but a method such as this provesto be unattainable in practice since any form of poison would kill off all fish species and not exclusively the Snakehead. However, the Northern Snakehead is classified as a “regulated invasive species” meaning that the transfer of this species is illegal in the United States. Legislation such as this are major steps in the direction of effectively controlling the Snakehead population.

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