Snakeheads in the Potomac River...Hah!

[amindbesideitself]

SNAKEHEADS IN THE POTOMAC RIVER UPDATE

Genetic research supports the hypothesis that a very small number or perhaps a single breeding pair of northern snakehead fish introduced into a new water can establish a wild population. The results of the genetics testing of northern snakehead fish by the Smithsonian Institution were made available to state and federal agencies. Genetic data support the hypothesis that a single breeding pair of northern snakehead established the Crofton Pond population of northern snakehead fish discovered in Maryland in 2002. The Potomac River specimens caught in 2004 did not originate from the Crofton Pond population. The genetic analysis indicates that all of the fish tested to date from the Potomac, with the exception of the largest specimen, which was a male, potentially came from the same adult female or from breeding siblings. There is no close genetic relationship between the Potomac River fish to those collected from waters in Wheaton, Maryland; Massachusetts; or Pennsylvania.

Due to the potential for significant impact on the aquatic systems, any movement or possession of live northern snakehead fish is a major concern and a violation of state law. Additionally, movement of live northern snakehead fish between states is a violation of federal law and regulated through the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Anyone possessing one should not release it but should report it to their state natural resources agency.

State and federal agencies will once again be sampling to collect northern snakeheads in the Potomac River during the spring and summer seasons. The best source of information remains the thousands of anglers that are on the public water. If anglers catch a northern snakehead, do not release it back to the wild. Rather they are requested to dispatch it immediately and contact the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at either 1-800/770-4951 or 804/367-1000 (in Virginia), or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at 410/260-8320 (in Maryland). For additional information on line, visit the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries web site at www.dgif.virginia.gov or Maryland Department of Natural Resources at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/.

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/snakehead-juv.jpg

Hah.

[WckedMidas]

yup they been catching them for about 3 years now up there. I think its awsom . maybe one day we have a viable channa fishery

[kman]

yup they been catching them for about 3 years now up there. I think its awsom . maybe one day we have a viable channa fishery

u catch any for ur tanks at home??

that one in the pic has better colours than ur regular red toman

[amindbesideitself]

yup they been catching them for about 3 years now up there. I think its awsom . maybe one day we have a viable channa fishery
Awesome stuff :werd:

[WckedMidas]

nah i havent caught none. i aint been fishing in the potomac for years. its a good reason to go up and try tho hmm makes me think. MFK fishing trip for channa in the potomac. I got the boat whos up for it. gonna need something to tow the boat tho. My pops aint letting me borow his truck.

[M|L]

catch me one. :)

[piranha45]

that's awesome :D

[kit]

WM ....I'm in.....

Tim


nah i havent caught none. i aint been fishing in the potomac for years. its a good reason to go up and try tho hmm makes me think. MFK fishing trip for channa in the potomac. I got the boat whos up for it. gonna need something to tow the boat tho. My pops aint letting me borow his truck.

[rayman45]

just dont report it to f&w

[kit]

BTW I have a truck too.....

WM ....I'm in.....

Tim

[WckedMidas]

BTW I have a truck too.....


Maybe we can work something out. Does anyone no of any maps . That mark the locations of where all the ones that been caught have been caught at?

[amindbesideitself]

Maybe we can work something out. Does anyone no of any maps . That mark the locations of where all the ones that been caught have been caught at?
Yeah, I do.

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/snakehead_map.pdf

[WckedMidas]

u da man

[neoprodigy]

Snakeheads Elude Getting Hooked (http://wtopnews.com/?sid=530232&nid=25)

Snakeheads Elude Getting Hooked
Updated: Saturday, Jun. 11, 2005 - 1:29 PM

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The snakehead isn't taking the bait.

The Washington Times reports that for the second consecutive year, nobody caught one at the annual Snakehead Fish Round-up at the Columbia Island Marina on the Potomac River.

Friday's event was aimed at raising awareness about the invasive species, which is native to Asia.

The northern snakehead is dubbed Frankenfish because of its razor-sharp teeth and ability to use its fins as legs to walk on land. Experts say the snakeheads are insatiable eaters that gobble up native fish.

The snakehead was first discovered in the region's waterways three years ago. Officials believe they were kept as pets, and dumped into the water by their owners.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[cenecker]

Hey BBBEEEEeee careful planning on catching one of those and keeping it. I read an article recently about this whole snake head debacle - and if I remember correctly any angler who catches one is required by law to kill it immediately - moreover there is a VERY hefty fine for being in possession of a live one.

I don't remember what the fine was, but I remember thinking "holy ****, that's pretty excessive!" when I read it.

[neoprodigy]

yeah i read about that too... need to find it...

[nick]

ina month wickedmidas, we ARE going fishing there, il bring my uncles dakota (work truck so free gas) he will wanna come to though, a couple coolers, some booze, a drag net or two and alot of chest deep water (i suppose there gonna be in the shallow inlets in randomn areas, we should do a hole week)


we can stay at ur house right?

[neoprodigy]

nice.. let me know... i wann go too... :) MFK snakehead hunt!!!

[Parz]

BTW I have a truck too.....

if you get any, keep me in mind. I'm to far away to help (fla), but I sure would like to get a couple. maybe I can help splitting the costs of the trip for those who are going. just divide total by one more, me.
thanks

[amindbesideitself]

Haha, goodluck guys. :headbang2

[WckedMidas]

my boat only a 14 or 16 foot flat bottom gusy. three person boat 4 in a pinch. I got the boat in cecil county. I will see if my pops will bring it down to the house. other wise thats another hour away we have to drive just to bring the boat to my house. then like another hour to hour and a half to the potomac. Ima see what i can do,.

[nick]

we dont need a boat really, i hope you guys like to hike as much as me, who wants to carry the 50 pounds of bucket/SH/water? me neo my uncle and william over there, im seriously looking into this, i even called one of the anglers who cuaght 4, i got specific locations and lures (3in shiner or 3 in original rapala with the new navy blue holographics)


i have PINPOINT locations , he said he caught them all guarding fry as well so this means dragnetting will b a sucess, false location was reported to the dnr as he told me the fish fought too good to be completely destroyed, fish he caught were between 14-19in

[WckedMidas]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[neoprodigy]

very intresting..... keep me posted.... let the snakehead hunt begin.....

[nick]

im EXTREMELY serious about going after these MONSTER fish


1-1.5month from now as im going on vacation this friday for 2 weeks



im rearing up a bunch of 1.5in bowfin and .75in smallomouth


im so happy i found this little pond nearby and got 14 of the little tadpole look alikes

[neoprodigy]

im EXTREMELY serious about going after these MONSTER fish


1-1.5month from now as im going on vacation this friday for 2 weeks



im rearing up a bunch of 1.5in bowfin and .75in smallomouth


im so happy i found this little pond nearby and got 14 of the little tadpole look alikes
cool... let me and william know...

[redtailfool]

Interesting.. hope it materializes.. and make it a mfk exclusive !

[nick]

i unfortunately need neo, he has the camera after all lol


or you could fly over to ct, take a look at my tanks, some photos, some vids, then later that afternoon go and take a nice 6 hour drive to maryland

[nick]

IT WILL happen this summer

[redtailfool]

IT WILL happen this summer


wish i had the time... :mad:

[ashdavid]

I hate to be the one to say this ,but I will. Why in the world would it be good to have snakeheads thriving in rivers in the States. It is attitudes like that, that get the fish banned in the first place. All those people wanting to keep snakeheads will soon not be able to because of a few knuckleheads who could not keep them in their tanks released them into the wild. Not to mention the damage they do to the native wildlife stock that has no natural defence to these fish. In Australia there has been millons of dollars damage ,and not to mention native speices that have become extinct,( that right never to be seen in this world again) that has been done by introducing foreign speices into the wild. Also because of this fact there are a lot of fish that cannot be bought b/c of the fact that people can't be trusted not to release them into rivers and dams. Just goes to show the mentality of some of you people, ever heard the the expresion " To cut off your nose to spite your face", this is a perfect example. Why don't you people sit back and actualy think about what you are saying for a second.

[nick]

thats why we are taking them lol



no instinct species here from non natives besides those caused by sculpins and fish in floirda, there are thousands of river and lakes and millions of ponds

[WckedMidas]

see the point you missed AshDavid Is the fact that someone else that none of us no or has any relationship to has already taken and released these snakeheads in the river. There is nothing that can be done about this . It happened its done its over with. They eradicated the pond in Crofton but the Potomac has its own supply breeding and thriving now. So im guessing you saying that instead of doing our part and trying to catch these fish and stick them back were they should have been. Wich is in our tanks Is wrong for us to do?


Nobody here is going to release there snakeheads in a river pond lake what ever you wana call it. Why wouldn't we because we are responsible for our own actions and we like to fish to much for eco system to be screwed up. Would we make the call and let the game warden no we caught them maybe after we got home and stuck them in our tanks we would. Would we let them have the snakeheads or our address nope Why because the fish doesn't need to die. Aint the fishes fault some screwball let them lose and they living and thriving now is it?

Before you throw stones make sure other people don't have bigger ones to hit you back with.

[robby]

Yeah, the anonymous call to the Fish and Wildlife (or whatever it is up there) would be a noble thing to do. It just helps the scientists get a handle on how big the problem really is and maybe help lead to a solution in the long run. It's not like ratting out your brother or anything. There is a problem when hobbiests, fishermen, or anyone else keeps info out of the hands of science for selfish reasons (sometimes it happens the other way around, but more often than not, it isn't for selfish reasons). There is the same rift between archaeology and artifact hunters and paleontology and fossil hunters. It's all bs if you ask me, and so much is lost when there is a failure of communication.

[ashdavid]

see the point you missed AshDavid Is the fact that someone else that none of us no or has any relationship to has already taken and released these snakeheads in the river. There is nothing that can be done about this . It happened its done its over with. They eradicated the pond in Crofton but the Potomac has its own supply breeding and thriving now. So im guessing you saying that instead of doing our part and trying to catch these fish and stick them back were they should have been. Wich is in our tanks Is wrong for us to do?


Nobody here is going to release there snakeheads in a river pond lake what ever you wana call it. Why wouldn't we because we are responsible for our own actions and we like to fish to much for eco system to be screwed up. Would we make the call and let the game warden no we caught them maybe after we got home and stuck them in our tanks we would. Would we let them have the snakeheads or our address nope Why because the fish doesn't need to die. Aint the fishes fault some screwball let them lose and they living and thriving now is it?

Before you throw stones make sure other people don't have bigger ones to hit you back with.

Aqain you have missed the point of what I said. I never said that what you were doing by fishing for them was wrong, And I never said that you guys were intending on releasing them back into the wild. And I never said that you were intending to release them into the wild, I was refering to the fact that a lot of you were getting excited about having snakeheads in US rivers, I just can't see how this is a good thing( reasons stated below in my last post).

yup they been catching them for about 3 years now up there. I think its awsom . maybe one day we have a viable channa fishery.

This is what I was talking about , why would it be good for snakeheads to ever become a viable fishery? And if you say you are trying to eradicate them by fishing ,then why is it that you say that it would be good for them to become a viable fishery, which means you want the fish in the river? You are saying two conflicting things by stating this. There is already movements to have them banned in many parts of the states and if that does happen, people who do do the right thing and not realease them into the wild will be the ones hurt by this law. Do you want to keep snakeheads?

What I was saying is that it is attitudes like this, refering to the wishfull thinking that it would be good to have a viable channa fishery, is completely out perspective to the whole reality of the situation. Why not put more energy into education towards the practice of keeping fish, instead of fueling the fight to have these great fish banned for good.
And one last thing, I am not here saying this to win some prize, so if you think your stone is bigger than mine, well all I can do is congratulate you.

[cenecker]

yup they been catching them for about 3 years now up there. I think its awsom . maybe one day we have a viable channa fishery


I'm afraid I'm on AshDavids side on this one, and I think that quote pretty much sums up your position.

We do need to keep things in perspective. Think of all the species we aren't allowed to keep in our respective states. How much longer do you think that list will get if the snake heads do overrun the native populations in the potomac?

Eventually all we'll be allowed to legally keep will be tetras and mollys...what a world that would be :22_yikes: :shakehead

[Killduv]

Heck I wonder if Snakeheads are in any of the Four Great lakes?
Damm they banned them in Ontario- shame!!!

[Monster VooDoo Fish]

I'm down, there use to be a canoe rental right there at Belle Haven park and a boat launch.

What we don't keep, we can eat..lol

[WckedMidas]

See the reason im excited about the channa being in the river is because some screwball done it already and nothing can change the fact. THEY CANNOT POISON THE RIVER TO REMOVE THEM LIKE THEY DID IN THE CROFTON INSITANT. Now beings nothing can be done to remove these fish. Why is it I should be crying the blues about it. Theres already a member of congress lobbying to make the Potomac a sanctuary for the channa that are there. His reason being they are going extinct in there native land. True or false I duno About the extinction [part.

You can look at it two ways. One there's a chance they might eat some native fish. But destroying the complete eco system I doubt. There hasn't been any mass destruction from the bullseye snakeheads in Florida . I've read few reports on them from Florida game and fish. And they haven't been able to conclude any negative affects from the channa in there watters.. The Potomac has other fish in it that have teeth also. Like the muskies pikes and others of that type.


The fish are there and will be there long long time. Beins we cant change that fact. I hope they do survive. Its not a bad thing only. Its a good thing to. Becuase now these fish are getting researched more then ever. And there finding out new info all the time on channade
I think if it wouldn't have been for them being where they are the research on the fish would still be almost non existent.


And beins they are there i suport A MFK fishing trip to be planed

[Parz]

to whom it may concern:
remember back when the clarias cats escaped from a fish farm in florida,
the media nuts had a field day with that one. they were predicting dire results to florida's fish and warning people that they would overrun everything, (sounds like the snakehead scare now doesn't it) after 30 years they( the science nerds) have concluded that they have had very little effect on the enviroment. the only one affected was a slight reduction in the local bullheads, no extinction, just a few less bullheads. and that is only as far north as broward and palm beach county. they won't survive north of there because it gets to cold.
and by the way, the clarias cats come from the same habitat as most of the snakeheads, so they won't survive up north either. only 2 species will live in the colder climates, argus & maculata, so the ban on all species is another example of the media influencing our politians to act without thinking, just to show how powerful they are, THE DOPES.

[ashdavid]

See the reason im excited about the channa being in the river is because some screwball done it already and nothing can change the fact. THEY CANNOT POISON THE RIVER TO REMOVE THEM LIKE THEY DID IN THE CROFTON INSITANT. Now beings nothing can be done to remove these fish. Why is it I should be crying the blues about it. Theres already a member of congress lobbying to make the Potomac a sanctuary for the channa that are there. His reason being they are going extinct in there native land. True or false I duno About the extinction [part.

You can look at it two ways. One there's a chance they might eat some native fish. But destroying the complete eco system I doubt. There hasn't been any mass destruction from the bullseye snakeheads in Florida . I've read few reports on them from Florida game and fish. And they haven't been able to conclude any negative affects from the channa in there watters.. The Potomac has other fish in it that have teeth also. Like the muskies pikes and others of that type.


The fish are there and will be there long long time. Beins we cant change that fact. I hope they do survive. Its not a bad thing only. Its a good thing to. Becuase now these fish are getting researched more then ever. And there finding out new info all the time on channade
I think if it wouldn't have been for them being where they are the research on the fish would still be almost non existent.


And beins they are there i suport A MFK fishing trip to be planed

My problem is with the fact that people are getting excited or simply don't care that people are letting these fish loose in the wild. The reason is b/c I want to be able to keep the fish that I want to keep and not have the autorities have them banned. With statments like "Snakeheads in the Potomac River...Hah! " and attitudes that already have been shown on this thread are only encouraging this practice. Yes you are right we can't change the fact that this has been done but
instead of condoning this behavior why not frown upon it? As for the statement about there being fish with teeth like muskies pikes is very true, and this is what I was talking about, there will be less food for these native fish and also will become food of the snakeheads, which will reduce their populations. Evolution is a slow process so when a non-native speices is introduced and thrives, there will not be enough time for the surronding eccosystem to naturaly adjust. Sure there will be some winners in this situation but there will also be some losers. Research? To my understanding most authorites are trying to erradicate them completely from US waters, how does this constitute reaserch to save this speices?

to whom it may concern:
remember back when the clarias cats escaped from a fish farm in florida,
the media nuts had a field day with that one. they were predicting dire results to florida's fish and warning people that they would overrun everything, (sounds like the snakehead scare now doesn't it) after 30 years they( the science nerds) have concluded that they have had very little effect on the enviroment. the only one affected was a slight reduction in the local bullheads, no extinction, just a few less bullheads. and that is only as far north as broward and palm beach county. they won't survive north of there because it gets to cold.
and by the way, the clarias cats come from the same habitat as most of the snakeheads, so they won't survive up north either. only 2 species will live in the colder climates, argus & maculata, so the ban on all species is another example of the media influencing our politians to act without thinking, just to show how powerful they are, THE DOPES.
Again this is the point I am trying to make, authorities get all scared because of the potential problem at hand and what is the knee jerk reaction to this scare, it is to ban the importing or sales of that particular fish. Is that what everyone wants, to have a lot of these fish banned for good? If attitudes towards the practice of releasing fish into the wild are not changed ,that is eventualy what will happen, I don't know if anyone else cares, but I do. And I will continue to tell people even if they don't like.

[Aggro_07]

:headbang2

[Parz]

Hey Administraters
Ashdavid should be banned for hijacking this thread. NO ONE has said anything about releasimg any fish into the native system, they are talking about REMOVING them from the native system. All he does is keep hijacking the thread to harp on his pet peeve. the people on this forum are against releasing any non-native species, but this thread is talking about catching them out of the system and putting them back into aquarists tank, in case assdavid can't read, that's a good thing. since there is not supposed to be any hijacking of topics I think he should be banned. :hitting:

[ashdavid]

Hey Administraters
Ashdavid should be banned for hijacking this thread. NO ONE has said anything about releasimg any fish into the native system, they are talking about REMOVING them from the native system. All he does is keep hijacking the thread to harp on his pet peeve. the people on this forum are against releasing any non-native species, but this thread is talking about catching them out of the system and putting them back into aquarists tank, in case assdavid can't read, that's a good thing. since there is not supposed to be any hijacking of topics I think he should be banned. :hitting:

Parz, Maybe if you read all of my post properly, you might just undestand that I never said that anyone here was intending to release fish or even saying that it would be good to release fish into the wild. You seem to be seriously misinformed on my pet peeve.

I hate to be the one to say this ,but I will. Why in the world would it be good to have snakeheads thriving in rivers in the States. It is attitudes like that, that get the fish banned in the first place. All those people wanting to keep snakeheads will soon not be able to because of a few knuckleheads who could not keep them in their tanks released them into the wild.
If you think I am hijacking this thread, why don't you go back and read the title it clearly stated "Snakeheads in the Potomac River...Hah! ", what do you think my discussion is about.
I feel sorry for you Parz, not only because you lack the skills to fully comprehend what point someone is trying to put across, not to mention the fact that the point is that I don't want to see these fish banned and that what the authorities will do as you so eloquently stated for us, remember back when the clarias cats escaped from a fish farm in florida,the media nuts had a field day with that one. they were predicting dire results to florida's fish and warning people that they would overrun everything, (sounds like the snakehead scare now doesn't it) after 30 years they( the science nerds) have concluded that they have had very little effect on the enviroment., but also the fact that you do not have a firm grasp on reality, and the reality of the situation is that media go nuts over things like having snakeheads in rivers and lakes.
So I ask you Parz what could be good about saying (which is what I originaly asked) that it is a good thing to have snakeheads in the rivers and lakes? Esspecialy when it is on topic.

[iheartfishies]

I live like 5 minutes from the potomac..

I'm going fishing right now.:)

wish me luck.

[Parz]

Adminstraters!
there he gos again.
they are already banned, genius.

over & out

[ashdavid]

Yeh, I should be banned for trying to have civil discussion on the topic at hand. Btw who is off topic by posting that someone should be banned, the correct procedure is to PM an administrater.

[GTS]

to whom it may concern:
remember back when the clarias cats escaped from a fish farm in florida,
the media nuts had a field day with that one. they were predicting dire results to florida's fish and warning people that they would overrun everything, (sounds like the snakehead scare now doesn't it) after 30 years they( the science nerds) have concluded that they have had very little effect on the enviroment. the only one affected was a slight reduction in the local bullheads, no extinction, just a few less bullheads. and that is only as far north as broward and palm beach county. they won't survive north of there because it gets to cold.
and by the way, the clarias cats come from the same habitat as most of the snakeheads, so they won't survive up north either. only 2 species will live in the colder climates, argus & maculata, so the ban on all species is another example of the media influencing our politians to act without thinking, just to show how powerful they are, THE DOPES.

Find me a reference or CITE me a source that confirms this. One of my professors in college Dr. Jospeh Alonso was the head biologist for dade county for 15 years. He said that the clarias cats nearly wiped out the spotted mud goby which is now an endangered species. So yeah they did damage.

I agree with ashdavid on this one.

[The TRUST]

C'mon guys. everyone is entitled to their own thoughts in a civil discussion.

No one is getting banned unless we say so ourselves. :D

[The TRUST]

To Everyone interested in fishing for Snakeheads,

I have received some concerning emails about this topic. I must remind you to please follow all rules set by the USFW on catching snakeheads. Also keep in mind that the possesion and and interstate transport is illegal.

Always remember this forum can be viewed publicly so ANYONE can read what you say.

MonsterFishKeepers.com does not support nor encourage anyone in to break the law so please to always remember to check the rules.

Have fun fishing

:)

[nativelover]

snakeheads are already banned from the states , no importing them no exporting them. no public sale or trade. just the ones you have you have, you cant even breed them (legally) anymore.

ive got a pond full of'em and i catch one when ever i want fish for dinner. and ya it would be kinda cool to have a snakehead fishery out here. in a private secluded lake that is....

[iheartfishies]

To Everyone interested in fishing for Snakeheads,

I have received some concerning emails about this topic. I must remind you to please follow all rules set by the USFW on catching snakeheads. Also keep in mind that the possesion and and interstate transport is illegal.

Always remember this forum can be viewed publicly so ANYONE can read what you say.

MonsterFishKeepers.com does not support nor encourage anyone in to break the law so please to always remember to check the rules.

Have fun fishing

:)
ya, ya, me too.:)

[unknownuza13]

cool... let me and william know...
Let me know.

[TNReptile]

The day they created the ban I went to a petshop in Nashville that I knew had about ten of them and they wouldn't sell 'em to me. I was ticked cause I knew the owner was going to keep them for himself. So if anyone gets a few I'm game for 'em. Heck, being illegal just makes it more fun!

[Fomoris]

That's funny :)

[theathlete24]

I need to go there and catch one. snakeheads are quite fish.

[nick]

looks like the trip will be in early august or late july depending on when im going on vacation


neo and will send me a PM of which is a better date so we can get this trip moving!

[rybapsych]

It is sad to see so much aggression towards someone who is looking at the situation objectively. The fact is that not everyone out there is a responsible pet owner and far too many exotic species find their way into local waterways. While many soon die off, a few can survive and do great harm to native species. Sometimes it is hard to look beyond our own selfish desires and recognize the fact that just because it is out there does not mean we have to posess it. I would never release anything myself, but that is not really the point. There are plenty of idiots who do. As such, extreme measures may be necessary unless they institute a program of selctive human breeding to increase the average I.Q.

[guppy]

I don't see why the specie that scare the legislature can't be liscensed and the owner required to report any transfers and show the corpse of any reported dead. A pain I know but at least we could keep things like snake heads.

[Vince]

I don't see why the specie that scare the legislature can't be liscensed and the owner required to report any transfers and show the corpse of any reported dead. A pain I know but at least we could keep things like snake heads.


Great idea. But it is so much easier to ban anything, than do a lot of work and not have the resources.

NOTE: All the rivers and lakes in the Phillipines are only inhabited by the channa striata and clarias clarias. There are hardly any native species in rivers and lakes other than those two species. You will find native brackish and estuarine fish, but in rivers, lakes, and ponds, all you will find are channa striata and the walking catfish....everything aquatic is gone except the cane toad, which is also an introduced species...

I guess the ultimate thing to do, and if this is a perfect world is to have each exotic animal, or fish be studied first prior to approval of entry....BUT that is in a perfect world, which we all know that it isn't.

[ashdavid]

I don't see why the specie that scare the legislature can't be liscensed and the owner required to report any transfers and show the corpse of any reported dead. A pain I know but at least we could keep things like snake heads.

That would be a great idea, but as Vince said the government would prefer to just ban them. I wish there was a way to resolve these issue's so as we as fish keepers can enjoy the fish of our choice.

It is sad to see so much aggression towards someone who is looking at the situation objectively. The fact is that not everyone out there is a responsible pet owner and far too many exotic species find their way into local waterways. While many soon die off, a few can survive and do great harm to native species. Sometimes it is hard to look beyond our own selfish desires and recognize the fact that just because it is out there does not mean we have to posess it. I would never release anything myself, but that is not really the point. There are plenty of idiots who do. As such, extreme measures may be necessary unless they institute a program of selctive human breeding to increase the average I.Q..
I agree with you totaly rybabsych, unfortunately some people just can't see past there own nose, and therefore they think that it is somebody else's problem. If only we could all band together to promote correct fish care, maybe some of these bans would not have happened in the first place.

[nick]

the reason for no licensing is the hassle, lack of government certified workers, lack of generating funds for computer systems/work space, and general lack of care to waht the advanced tropical fish keeper thinks ro wants

only 10 percent of the fish keepers in america are considered "advanced" thigns that induce being an advanced keeper is a tank over 15gallons and being addicted to this site (reference "myself" or "p45" being at the top of that list among mojo hareball neo jon rare wes anthony jsut too name a very few dedicated hobbyists)

most ppl keep a 10 gallon with neons or maybe a couple corys

years dont matter with this style of fishkeepeing as u keep the same fish and dont go on various websites and spend ur free time doing water changes and watching fish behavior...... conclusion-we are elite, if only there were more

[nick]

btw its called un natural evolution consisting of a human such as me or yourself introducing a species higher in the food chain

eventually there will only be one, same is true with the human race


we will all band together by ways of peace and understanding and mixing

or we will b culled by a superior race (i.e. hitlers plans)


in the end only 1 is dominant

[guppy]

btw its called un natural evolution consisting of a human such as me or yourself introducing a species higher in the food chain

eventually there will only be one, same is true with the human race


we will all band together by ways of peace and understanding and mixing

or we will b culled by a superior race (i.e. hitlers plans)


in the end only 1 is dominant
But I like being top of the food chain.

[nick]

as do i lol

[Parz]

what a croc of sh*t. pick up any book of asian fishes and you'll find that they have more species of fishes in their waters than in our temperate climate waters. on my last trip to India they also have clarias cats and channa striata, plus about seven others types of snakehead, including the redline or giant snakehead, plus the wallago attu, bagarius cats, lates calcarifer, and the huge pangasius cats, and with all these voracious predators they still have more fish than I could catch during my 3 weeks of jungle fishing. plus about 80 per cent of the local people derive all of their protein from fish they catch and eat. so much for there not being anything but clarias and snakeheads out there.
the waters of the Phillipines are very similar to those in India, actually if you were dropped in there without being told where you were, you wouldn't know the difference. been to Kuala Lumpur on business and didn't actually fish there but the lakes and rivers looked identical.

Great idea. But it is so much easier to ban anything, than do a lot of work and not have the resources.

NOTE: All the rivers and lakes in the Phillipines are only inhabited by the channa striata and clarias clarias. There are hardly any native species in rivers and lakes other than those two species. You will find native brackish and estuarine fish, but in rivers, lakes, and ponds, all you will find are channa striata and the walking catfish....everything aquatic is gone except the cane toad, which is also an introduced species...

I guess the ultimate thing to do, and if this is a perfect world is to have each exotic animal, or fish be studied first prior to approval of entry....BUT that is in a perfect world, which we all know that it isn't.

[joel]

nah i havent caught none. i aint been fishing in the potomac for years. its a good reason to go up and try tho hmm makes me think. MFK fishing trip for channa in the potomac. I got the boat whos up for it. gonna need something to tow the boat tho. My pops aint letting me borow his truck.
i've got a couple small boat and a pick up truck. LETS ROLL !!!

[NeonTetraFan]

I don't think they will ever catch every snakehead in the Potomac, unless they kill everything else too.

[Just1nK4ng]

pretty cool wanan catch me some

[joel]

:clap WELL SAID

[Chimuelo]

NOTE: All the rivers and lakes in the Phillipines are only inhabited by the channa striata and clarias clarias. There are hardly any native species in rivers and lakes other than those two species. You will find native brackish and estuarine fish, but in rivers, lakes, and ponds, all you will find are channa striata and the walking catfish....everything aquatic is gone except the cane toad, which is also an introduced species...


Vince. This is an utter nonsense. I was in Philippines just few weeks ago, and I have no clue how you came to that wacked up conclusion.

So what if the northern snakeheads become established? Do you truly think the northern snakehead will wipe out every living creature? Then what will they eat, and how will they survive? Cannibalism?

I actually caught channa argus before moving to the states. In the same water, there are wild goldfish, carp, wild paradise fish, plenty of minnows, all sorts of catfish and dojo loaches. All sharing the same water with northern snakehead. Channa argus was the top predator in the waters, and they did not wipe out species nor become over-populated. Nonetheless, they do engage in cannibalism.

Anyhow, snakeheads are easy to catch. I used a pole, perhaps 20-30 feet. Drop a live minnow into a thick weeded area, and you should get a bite. All were caught within 30 feet from the shoreline. Snakeheads are NOT nocturnal, so they will readily bite during the mid day.

[Chimuelo]

Also, very young specimen (2 inches or so) of channa argus will sit still very close to the shore since deeper water can be dangerous. They can be easily seen with human eyes because the small ones swim at the top of the water. They will wait motionless and will try to blend in with the thick weeds so their green/black body can camouflage. However, the numbers dwindle as summer goes on. Perhaps they move into deeper water.

Popular local bait usually include live minnow and live frog. For me, minnow usually worked better. I used 1-2 inch minnows. They also bite dead minnows, but live ones always did better for me.

[Big Business]

I went fishing in the Potomac for some snakeheads but caught nothing. I tried shinners and a few lures.

does anyone know what types of lures they've been biting on?

[guppy]

Hi Chimuelo, welcome to MFK, I'm glad to hear tha the phillipines still maintain a good biodiversity in the waters there.
The problem with channas getting introduced here is IMO overrated, half the damn waters in the U.S. are already overun with introduced trout, bass, channel cats, bluegill, carp, or bullfrogs.

[Vince]

Vince. This is an utter nonsense. I was in Philippines just few weeks ago, and I have no clue how you came to that wacked up conclusion.

So what if the northern snakeheads become established? Do you truly think the northern snakehead will wipe out every living creature? Then what will they eat, and how will they survive? Cannibalism?

Yes, you said that yourself. Just read below.

I actually caught channa argus before moving to the states. In the same water, there are wild goldfish, carp, wild paradise fish, plenty of minnows, all sorts of catfish and dojo loaches. All sharing the same water with northern snakehead. Channa argus was the top predator in the waters, and they did not wipe out species nor become over-populated. Nonetheless, they do engage in cannibalism.

Anyhow, snakeheads are easy to catch. I used a pole, perhaps 20-30 feet. Drop a live minnow into a thick weeded area, and you should get a bite. All were caught within 30 feet from the shoreline. Snakeheads are NOT nocturnal, so they will readily bite during the mid day.

:ROFL: You fished with a what !!!! 20 to 30 foot fishing pole!!!! That sounds like a whole bamboo tree...DAMN that is one long fishing pole. But us anglers calls it fishing rods, not poles. My longest fishing rod is about 11 feet, that's my bait stick, and my jig stick is about 9 feet.

Anyway, I don't know where you fished at, and how long you were in the Phillipines...DOH I was born there and I know the waters like the back of my hand. There is a river in Antipolo, that's about 60 miles west of Manila, If I can recall correctly. We "fished" that river all the way up from the source, down to the nearest residential area. There were some freshwater shrimps in the mix, but most of the catch are Channa Striata...NOT Argus, and the clarias clarias. When you drain a pond isolated from any body of water, what is the inhabitant in that pond? Mosquito fish, Clarias clarias, and you guessed it...Channa Striata.

The other fish you mentioned, are found in estuarine or brackish waters, where the channas could not tolerate salinity. Also up north, there are dojos, and your typical cold water fish because it is cold, and when I was there, there were no Channa Argus. NOW you are telling me they have channa argus there now? Well that is just too bad...Let's see who wins, Argus or Striata. Bada bing!

:headbang2

[seighten]

have to agree with ash's original comment/thought.... callous ideas/desires have no place in this or any other hobby/interest...!!!

[hardb0iled]

I'm another who has to agree with Ash's comments.

I'm not saying in this case that I wouldnt go and fish for these introduced Snakeheads and keep one for my aquarium - besides the legal point, I dont see an environmental problem from catching them as long they arent going back into the local waters. I'm a responsible fish owner and would never release fish into habitats they arent native to.

But, introduced species are nothing to be excited about, here in Australia we have massive problems with introduced fish(as well as other animals) taking over the native fishes environments and now a lot of our native species are endangered and very close to extinction. Look at our Murray River system(it's huge river system) where Carp was introduced over 100 years ago as an ornamental fish(sound familair?) Well anyhow , now the Carp has taken over the river system and a lot of the native species are becoming endangered. Even my little Murray Cod! You cant go fishing in theMurray without catching about 10-1 ratio of Carp to Aust Natives. They are an absolute pest!

Your Snakeheads have only been there for what 3 years? Think about things 100 years down the road?

[fugupuff]

oooh...I absolutely love this topic. I'm going to revisit tonight and unleash the devil!

[contender]

man what a trip! i jsut posted this in another thread, and then here is a thread about fishing for them!!!

this is what is use to fish for Giant Snakeheahds:

* monofilement should NEVER be used, they tear it uo like confetti; i use Herculine Dynama

* in Thailand we use this real cool, top water weedless frog, with spinners in the front. i luckily caught this one using monofil, and i was even luckier cuz i was on the shore, but i've since modified the top waters, and have added additional hooks on either side of the frogs torso, giving it 3 hooks, cuz their mouths are like steel plates...

* medium to large pole action

* catch net is a must

this one i cught 2 yrs ago, and i since caught bigger ones, but this is the only photo i had on my hard drive. i plan on going again next month, cus the season is just about starting!!!!

here is one i got in 2003, Keang Kracharn naitonal park.

i was real lucky, cuz i used monofiliment, but that is a serious no no with giant snakehead fishing, plus, i caught this one off the shore. caught and released.

http://www.chokemuay.com/images/09.10.05.misc.00.JPG

[Big Business]

WOW!!!
http://www.nbc4.com/news/5082848/detail.html?rss=dc&psp=news

[nick]

well theres nothing they can do

you cant posion the potomac as peta and fema wont stand for it, it leads to the ocean and we'd be condemming ppl who ate fish from that area to deat + chemicals spread and the stay there for a long time


they will not do anything for this except offer reward money- those poor saps worked there asses off to catch those fish dn they wernt even rewarded- do you really think anyone will care about catching them after that for reawrd money? hell its not even money its a god damn gift certificate..... up to 50 dollars my ass

i feel bad for the anglers and the fish, at least they have lots of fish to eat-i wonder if they snagged any that were brooding fry in there mouths? i will be organizing a trip down there this spring-summer possibly 2-3 trips


now that i can drive theres nothing stopping me..... i will be bring fish back over state lines and idc (im not going to release any, i will save myself a pair or two plus some juveniles and give the rest to fellow hobbyists of whom i trust) i thought they were bowfin - HONESTLY OFFICER! lol

if we catch any.... dont pm me "i need sh when are you going get me one" im not giving any to hoobyists who might release the fish- i have 8 ppl in my head and thats it.....

-from a current sh owner-nicholas papotto- 3 gachuas and a 2in northern/assam

[leviathon13]

im EXTREMELY serious about going after these MONSTER fish


1-1.5month from now as im going on vacation this friday for 2 weeks



im rearing up a bunch of 1.5in bowfin and .75in smallomouth


im so happy i found this little pond nearby and got 14 of the little tadpole look alikes
Hey, you wanna sell any of those baby bowfin when they're established?past the "touchy"stage? :naughty: