‘Kill It Immediately’ Walking 3 Foot ‘Northern Snakehead’ Fish Confirmed In Georgia First Time

ATLANTA, GA. (THECOUNT) — Wildlife officials in Georgia are warning residents about an invasive fish species now confirmed in the peach state for the first time ever, according to Thursday reports.

Official’s message to Georgians is clear, if you see a “Northern snakehead” Kill it immediately and freeze it.”

“Northern snakehead are bad news. And for the first time, the invasive fish has been confirmed in Georgia waters,” the Georgia Department of Natural Resource said.

The department said northern snakeheads have the potential to impact native species by competing for food and habitat, reports CBS17.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, anglers who believe they have caught a northern snakehead should do the following:

DO NOT RELEASE IT.

Kill it immediately and freeze it. They can survive on land.

If possible, take pictures of the fish. Include close ups of its mouth, fins and tail.
Note where it was caught like the waterbody, landmarks or GPS coordinates.

Immediately report it to your regional Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Office.

The northern snakehead is a long, thin fish, similar in appearance to the native bowfin.

They have a long dorsal fin that runs along their whole back and a dark brown blotchy appearance. Northern snakeheads can get up to three feet in length.

They can also breathe air allowing them to survive on land and in low oxygenated systems.

DEVELOPING::

Geo quick facts: Georgia is a southeastern U.S. state whose terrain spans coastal beaches, farmland and mountains. Capital city Atlanta is home of the Georgia Aquarium and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, dedicated to the African-American leader’s life and times. The city of Savannah is famed for its 18th- and 19th-century architecture and leafy public squares. Augusta hosts the Masters golf tournament – wikipedia.