Are snakeheads illegal in the USA?

I was watchin a show on telly a few moons back about snake heads it was going on about their predatory instincts and then the bloke mentioned that they are illegal over in the us I was wondering if that was true coz over here in the uk snakeheads are legal in fact I av a couple of buds wI em in their tanks species only course if this is true and snake heads are illegal in the us I wondered if anyone might know why

 

Yes they are illegal here. They've been released into the Great Lakes and are a voracious predator that has nothing to keep them in check.

 

how did they get released into your lakes and did you know they can "walk" on land for quite a while

 

how did they get released into your lakes and did you know they can "walk" on land for quite a while

Fishkeepers dumped them at some point. They have a few big specimens at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago with some info on them being caught in the lake. You're not supposed to throw them back. You can probably google it for more info than I can provide.

 

Snakeheads in Maryland were orginally dumped into Crofton Lake and have made their way into areas of the Potomac River south of Washington DC. Crofton lake was poisoned to kill them all but was too late to stop their migration.

The man who released them came forward when he heard about it. Something to do about a Chinese custom.

They are VERY invasive, mean and pedatory. Another case of a non native species being released and starting to possibly destroy a large native habitat.

They are illegal in most states now I believe, at least along the east coast.

 

Woah, we got those things in our lakes! My kids swim in there.....

 

I have seen reports of snakeheads in Miami, Fl as well. It is illegal to even transport them through the US.

 

Snakeheads in Maryland were orginally dumped into Crofton Lake and have made their way into areas of the Potomac River south of Washington DC. Crofton lake was poisoned to kill them all but was too late to stop their migration.

The man who released them came forward when he heard about it. Something to do about a Chinese custom.

They are VERY invasive, mean and pedatory. Another case of a non native species being released and starting to possibly destroy a large native habitat.

They are illegal in most states now I believe, at least along the east coast.

Yes they did. My aunt was affected by this and those suckers kill all the natural birds, fish, etc. that are supposed to be in rivers and creeks. My cousins caught a few fishing and they are nasty according to my aunt.

 

I was in maryland was fishing for them, they are mean buggers, very aggressive

 

But they are a native to Southern Asia, if I am not mistaken and they were brought here like most other fish, but when they got too big, some of the people released them into the rivers and they were one of the few fish who could withstand the temperatures and also the water conditions and they just started to thrive, so they are now an invasive species and when caught, must be killed right away, so you don't have a risk of transporting them to other parts. Luckily, they haven't made it to my area of Canada, yet anyways.

I have seen reports of snakeheads in Miami, Fl as well. It is illegal to even transport them through the US.

You can transport them, but they can't be alive.
Tom

 

Have any of you read the story about the guy who had one for ten years then had to give it up for them to euthanise it.

 

Have any of you read the story about the guy who had one for ten years then had to give it up for them to euthanise it.

wait, did he have it before it was put in the invasive species list?? if so, wow they are horrible for doom what they did

 

Yup he bought it in '99 and in '04 when they made it illegal they had him put it down.

Heres the link.

 

Don't let them come to Canada either. I've seen two shows on tv about it.

 

Yup he bought it in '99 and in '04 when they made it illegal they had him put it down.

Heres the link.

Good news is it got so much publicity he got to keep it, Alive! Good for him.

 

Good news is it got so much publicity he got to keep it, Alive! Good for him.

I didn't read that but that's awesome ! Albeit with restriction and a close watched tank from the Man I bet.

 

I didn't read that but that's awesome ! Albeit with restriction and a close watched tank from the Man I bet.

Yup! The DEA wanted to go in "quietly" and take the fish. The papers got a hold of the story and the man contacted many public officials. Guess the DEA didn't want to look bad. Must of been an election year. LOL
Serves them right, leave the guy alone. Have him sign a legal document saying he'll call them when the fish dies. Simple right?!

 

ta for all the responses everyone

 

But they are a native to Southern Asia, if I am not mistaken and they were brought here like most other fish, but when they got too big, some of the people released them into the rivers and they were one of the few fish who could withstand the temperatures and also the water conditions and they just started to thrive, so they are now an invasive species and when caught, must be killed right away, so you don't have a risk of transporting them to other parts. Luckily, they haven't made it to my area of Canada, yet anyways.


You can transport them, but they can't be alive.
Tom

True. I was going off the assumption that the fish were intended for the aquarium trade. Sorry for the confusion.