'Aggressive predators' caught in Missouri for fourth time: Rare snake-like fish that breathes air.

Is it a fish or a snake? No, it's a snakehead fish.

For the fourth time in Missouri, an angler caught a non-native northern snakehead fish.

According to a recent press release, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirmed that a catch occurred on May 25 in Wayne County, and it was confirmed by fisheries biologists.

A fish with a snake-like head and a body that can grow up to 3 feet in length, featuring a python-like coloration and pattern, is a predatory fish.

According to the release, MDC Fisheries Biologist Dave Knuth recognized that the angler had something different and researched the fish's characteristics, ultimately realizing it was indeed a snakehead.

"Several hours passed on the pavement, yet the angler did not die."

The snakehead was transported to the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) office and recovered by an MDC conservation agent four hours after the fish had been left in a bag, according to the MDC's release.

Jacob Plunkett, an MDC Wayne County conservation agent, stated that the fish was still alive when he picked it up.

The fish species has a serpentine appearance and can move on land to reach water.

The MDC reported that the ability to breathe air enables survival in poorly oxygenated water or out of water for several days, as long as the skin remains moist.

The MDC stated that snakeheads, an invasive species from Asia, are aggressive predators that prey on native species and compete for resources.

In 2019, a northern snakehead was first recorded in Missouri when it was caught in a borrow ditch in Dunklin County.

The other two northern snakeheads confirmed by the MDC were captured in 2023.

If you encounter invasive fish, the MDC has provided a list of items to check off.

The snakehead fish is a popular dish in Southeast Asia.

Instead of releasing or throwing the fish along the bank, take a photo of it to identify the species and record the location where it was caught for the MDC.

There are several ways to kill a fish, including severing its head from its body, gutting it, or placing it in a sealed bag.

Report any sightings of the northern snakehead fish to the MDC, the agency advised.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the MDC for comment.

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