Fish out of water

An exotic species of fish that turned up in a Maryland pond two years ago has made its way into local waters.

A pair of anglers caught three northern snakeheads, each 13 to 15 inches long, three weeks ago in FDR Park’s 17-acre Meadow Lake.

A week later, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission reeled in three more for scientific study.

Dan Tredinnick, spokesperson for the PFBC, said the predatory fish either traveled though a system of interconnected waterways from Maryland or were placed in the lake by someone.

"The fish are not native to North America, but to Asia," he said.

Snakeheads are believed to have been introduced into this part of the world through the live food trade, Tredinnick added.

A PFBC news release describes snakeheads as having a torpedo-shaped body, long dorsal and anal fins without spines, and jaws with teeth.

Northern snakeheads, however, are distinguished by flattened and pointy heads with long lower jaws.

Biologists have been able to collect some information about the fish, but real-life experience is still lacking.

"We do not know how they will react to the ecosystem because they will eat anything," said Tredinnick. "Snakeheads are no more of a threat than other exotic species."

Pennsylvania is currently sharing information about the fish with other states, such as Maryland and California.

As of this week, ridding the lake of the snakeheads became an unlikely option for the PFBC.

"An aggressive approach to eradicate the species from Meadow Lake would be neither practical nor effective," PFBC executive director Dr. Douglas Austen said in a statement.

Since their discovery in Maryland and, subsequently, in the Potomac River, the snakeheads have been dubbed "Frankenfish" because of the bizarre fact that they can survive outside the water for several days, and drag themselves across the land for short distances.

"I think the nickname is cute," Tredinnick said.

Because it is illegal to possess live snakeheads, the PFBC urges anyone who has caught one to call 610-847-2442 or e-mail mkaufmann@state.pa.us.

For more information, log on to www.fish.state.pa.us.