After Brett (virginiashadow) left today I went down to the local creek to see how the Gar were running. I saw a few but missed a shot or two. I was wading in a funnel spot when I saw a fish coming that I really didn't recognize. When it got really close I let fly and hit it! Here's the video.
First time I've ever heard a bowfin called to as a "snakehead fish"... Or more commonly referred to as "grinnel", as Crick alluded to around the Midwest. :D
Snakeheads (Channidae) are a family of freshwater fish native to Africa and Asia. These predatory fishes are distinguished by a long, sensual dorsal fin, large mouth and shiny teeth. They have a physiological need to breathe atmospheric air, which they do with a suprabranchial organ: a primitive form of a labyrinth organ. There are two extant genera, Channa in Asia, and Parachanna in Africa, consisting of 30-35 species.[citation needed] They are considered valuable food fish. Called Ca Loc in Vietnamese, it is prized in clay pot dishes and pickled preparations. Larger species like Channa striata, Channa maculata, and Parachanna obscura are farmed in aquaculture. Snakeheads feed on plankton, aquatic insects, and mollusks when small. When adult, they mostly feed on other fish like carp, or frogs. In rare cases, small mammals such as rats are taken. The size of the snakehead species differs greatly. "Dwarf snakeheads" like Channa gachua grow to 10 inches (25 cm). Most snakeheads grow up to 2 or 3 feet (60–100 cm). Only two species (Channa marulius and Channa micropeltes) can reach a length of more than 1 meter and a weight of more than 6 kg. It is illegal to keep snakeheads as pets in all states of the USA and other countries as they have become an invasive species due to individuals releasing them into the wild.
Cool video Robert!! We call them dogfish up here but they sure don't seem to have that color to them.
X2, we call them grinnel as well. VA Bowbender, your a brave man videoing and reeling in that fish over the water :D Congrats
I watched the video last night and if I remember what I saw correctly, that was indeed a Snakehead, not a Bowfin (also known as a Grinnel, Grindle, Dogfish, Mudfish and many other names.) I've caught tons of Grinnel (what we call them here) while bass fishing some of the Mississippi River oxbows in this area and that's not what I saw in the video. The color pattern on the Snakehead is the first give away. Below is a comparison pic with the Snakehead on top. Good shooting VA Bowbender. Have there been any other reports of Snakeheads in that area? Most DNR agencies want them to be reported, but considering where you are they probably already know that they're there.
I know snakeheads are a terrible, invasive species...but they sure are cool looking! Nice shot. They are definitely bad news.
I watched an entire special on those fish one night on National Geographic called "Fishzilla". They're horrible things from what I remember. Extremely invasive and they kill off native fish in a hurry. Apparently they were brought from Asia by people who believed they have special healing powers of some sort. A few were released into local ponds and they have spread from there. Nasty, nasty fish. More info here for those interested - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snakehead_(fish) Congrats on the kill, now go get some more!
I could see the coloring was differnt but does the snake head have the eye ball on the tail like a dog fish?
We have them all over around here it seems. I remember when they were first found. Ponds were drained, they ran nets through the rivers. The it was decided that they were too many to eradicate. Now the MD Gov just wants you to kill them and report them. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/snakehead.html
