The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirmed a troubling discovery on Friday: a northern snakehead fish, an invasive species notorious for its snake-like appearance and ability to survive on land for days, has been caught in the state. This marks the fourth confirmed sighting of the species in Missouri since 2019.

The invasive northern snakehead fish can grow up to three feet long and is distinguished by its “python-like coloration and pattern” and a head that “resembles a snake,” according to MDC. The first specimen was captured in 2019, followed by two more last year, CBS affiliate KFVS reported.

MDC Fisheries biologist Dave Knuth detailed the resilience of the fish in a recent press release. “Once the angler realized he had a snakehead fish, he left it on the pavement for several hours thinking it would die,” Knuth explained. “And it never did.”

The fish, remarkably, survived several hours out of water. Conservation agent Jacob Plunkett noted that, nearly four hours after it was placed in a bag for transport, “it was still very much alive.”

Unlike most fish, which cannot survive long outside of water, northern snakeheads have the unique ability to breathe air. They can survive out of water for several days as long as their skin remains moist, and they can even slither across land to find water, the MDC stated.

Northern snakeheads are one of three invasive snakehead species in the United States. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this species is native to Russia, China, and the Korean Peninsula, and “is the only one of the dozens of species of Channa well-suited to survive in America’s temperate water.”

The snakehead fish has “large mouths full of pointed teeth, flat, scaly heads,” and are “exceptionally slimy,” the service added. They are often misidentified as Bowfin fish or pickerels due to their similar appearance.

The MDC urges anyone who believes they have spotted a northern snakehead to take immediate action. They advise not releasing the fish back into the water but instead killing it by severing its head or gutting it, or placing it in a sealed plastic bag. Photographs should be taken for proper identification.

The presence of this invasive species poses a significant threat to local ecosystems, as they are known for their voracious appetite and ability to outcompete native fish for resources. The MDC continues to monitor and manage this invasive species to protect Missouri’s waterways and native wildlife.

For further information and updates, the public is encouraged to visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website.

Credit: CBS News