A large fish caught recently near the Xingfu River in Doumen District, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, has been identified as Channa striata, also known as the common snakehead, an invasive species in China.
A local angler posted photos of the fish online, asking netizens to identify it. According to local fish experts, the species closely resembles the native northern snakehead (Channa argus).
The common snakehead is a predatory freshwater fish that preys on fish and other aquatic animals. Known for its tolerance of low-oxygen and polluted waters, it can breed in waters where some native species struggle to survive, threatening local aquatic ecosystems.
The species was once introduced into China as an ornamental fish and has since been recorded across parts of the Pearl River Basin, including Guangdong and Guangxi, posing a potential threat to native fish populations. Experts advise the public not to release captured invasive species into the wild and to follow local regulations to dispose of them properly.
Zhuhai has previously reported sightings of other invasive species, including the alligator gar, which was removed from a residential pond in 2022.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photo | Zhuhai Fabu
