ASIAN SNAKEHEAD SEIZED AND DESTROYED IN NSW

[Paulanderson]

It was not only interesting but quite alarming to note that NSW Fisheries seized and destroyed a live 90 cm Asian Snakehead recently. This species is causing major problems in parts of the US (and other countries), as those of us that watch fishing shows would have noted. Snakeheads can survive out of the water and can travel short distances overland from waterway to waterway. The NSW fish was being kept in a large fish tank inside a house. There was only one reported.

[eddyt]

I think it's a tropical fish, it would probably die over winter if it escaped. Still surprised you can keep a 90cm fish indoors, that has to be one massive fish tank.

[Sebb]

Wonder how it could get in to Australia.

[Paulanderson]

Good question Sebb - the video showed a tank at least 2m long. Yes they are a tropical species so will not be a problem in Vic or most of NSW - Qld is another matter though.

[Tim399]

Wonder how it could get in to Australia.

You’d be surprised what some aquarium dealers will buy and sell to the right people

[smokin_reels]

I was in india recently and saw a tank full of amazonian red tail catfish.
There are already lakes that are full of pacu now.
all fun and games till stuff gets out

[eddyt]

There used to be red devils, convict cichlids, and all these fancy aquarium fish in Hazelwood pondage. Still wonder if any survived after the power plant turned off.

[Setts71]

Here you go, this was taken from an aquarium forum ;

Hi fishos.

You won't believe it but last thursday I was driving to work and I saw a fish flapping on the road. It's just a narrow potholed stretch of road and this part is next to a bit of a swamp so I assume it came from there. It was already pretty dry but I picked it up and continued to drive to work where I put it in a biscuit tin full of water.

So, atleast 20 minutes out of water and no worries at all. It's a definate snakehead, Channa striata so I have an aggressive little fella on my hands!

No wonder they aren't allowed in Australia as they fact they can breath air (I've read they drown if they can't actually get to the water surface) and are a wicked predator would make a volatile combination against any Aussie fish.

So, busily trying to find a local to whip me up some tanks as this has given me the preverbial boot and now the ban from the wife for tanks is over (8 month ban once we left Moura), I think it's time for a few 4x2x2's.

At the moment it's just living in a bucket and getting a diet of bugs and grasshoppers at the moment until I can get it into a tank environment.

Has anyone had any success keeping snakeheads before?

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Sebb]

Here you go, this was taken from an aquarium forum ;

Hi fishos.

You won't believe it but last thursday I was driving to work and I saw a fish flapping on the road. It's just a narrow potholed stretch of road and this part is next to a bit of a swamp so I assume it came from there. It was already pretty dry but I picked it up and continued to drive to work where I put it in a biscuit tin full of water.

So, atleast 20 minutes out of water and no worries at all. It's a definate snakehead, Channa striata so I have an aggressive little fella on my hands!

No wonder they aren't allowed in Australia as they fact they can breath air (I've read they drown if they can't actually get to the water surface) and are a wicked predator would make a volatile combination against any Aussie fish.

So, busily trying to find a local to whip me up some tanks as this has given me the preverbial boot and now the ban from the wife for tanks is over (8 month ban once we left Moura), I think it's time for a few 4x2x2's.

At the moment it's just living in a bucket and getting a diet of bugs and grasshoppers at the moment until I can get it into a tank environment.

Has anyone had any success keeping snakeheads before?

Cheers,

Andrew.

This is in NSW?
So potentially there's few of them out in the wild already.

[Tim399]

Here you go, this was taken from an aquarium forum ;

Hi fishos.

You won't believe it but last thursday I was driving to work and I saw a fish flapping on the road. It's just a narrow potholed stretch of road and this part is next to a bit of a swamp so I assume it came from there. It was already pretty dry but I picked it up and continued to drive to work where I put it in a biscuit tin full of water.

So, atleast 20 minutes out of water and no worries at all. It's a definate snakehead, Channa striata so I have an aggressive little fella on my hands!

No wonder they aren't allowed in Australia as they fact they can breath air (I've read they drown if they can't actually get to the water surface) and are a wicked predator would make a volatile combination against any Aussie fish.

So, busily trying to find a local to whip me up some tanks as this has given me the preverbial boot and now the ban from the wife for tanks is over (8 month ban once we left Moura), I think it's time for a few 4x2x2's.

At the moment it's just living in a bucket and getting a diet of bugs and grasshoppers at the moment until I can get it into a tank environment.

Has anyone had any success keeping snakeheads before?

Cheers,

Andrew.

This is in NSW?
So potentially there's few of them out in the wild already.

I’ve heard they taste good