 |
|
|
||||
| NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |
Translate this page with 
Common Name: bullseye snakehead
Synonyms and Other Names: giant snakehead, murrel
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification: Distinctive orange spot on caudal peduncle.
Size: 183 cm TL (male/unsexed; max.weight: 30.0 kg
Native Range:
Asia: India to China, south to Thailand and Cambodia and Pakistan (FishBase).
Nonindigenous Occurrences:
This snakehead is found in many residential lakes and canals in Broward County, Florida. The documented boundaries of Bullseye Snakehead at the Hillsboro Canal (G-08) to the north, the Middle River Canal (C-13) to the south, L-35A and L-36 Canals to the west, and the ocean to the east which covers an area roughly 114 square miles (P. Shafland, pers.comm.). Also collected in Imperial River, upper end in Bonita Springs, Lee County and a small lake and an area called the Carolinas, Coral Springs in Broward County (W. Courtenay, pers. comm.).
Means of Introduction: Illegally stocked in Florida.
Status:
Locally established in Florida.
Impact of Introduction:
Unknown. This predatory species has the potential impact native fish and crustaceans through predation.
Researchers examining the stomach contents of 127 dead snakeheads, they found the remains of 13 of their own species plus one bluegill, 11 mosquitofish, seven warmouth, two peacock bass, several lizards, bufo toads, small turtles, a rat and a snake. No remains of largemouth bass were found (Cocking 2008).
They are preyed upon by peacock bass and largemouth bass. Looking at 68 peacock bass' stomachs, the researchers found 16 snakeheads. In 41 largemouth bass, they found one (Cocking 2008).
Remarks:
Prefers deep clear lakes and rivers with rocky or sandy substrate. Spawning apparently occurs once to twice during warmer times of the year and brood size varies tremendously, from 350 to over 3600 young. Parents guard the nest containing pale red-yellow eggs (2mm in diameter) and they guard the young until they reach 10 cm in length.
This species is available in some live fish markets and obtainable, but rare, in the aquarium trade.
Cocking, S. 2008. Snakeheads posing no threat. The News and Observer. 5 December 2008. http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1319821.html.
Other Resources:
Snakeheads (Pisces, Channidae) - A Biological Synopsis and Risk Assessment (March 2004) or download a 53.8 MB PDF version.
Channa marulius (Global Invasive Species Database)
Author: Pam Fuller
Revision Date: 12/5/2008 Citation for this information:
Pam Fuller. 2009. Channa marulius. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=2266> Revision Date: 12/5/2008
| AccessibilityFOIAPrivacyPolicies and Notices | |
  |
|