‘Kill it immediately’: Invasive fish that can breathe air, survive on land found in Georgia

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division confirmed someone found a northern snakehead in a pond on private property in Gwinnett County, marking the first time the invasive fish has been found in the state, according to the DNR.

The department’s advice for what Georgia residents should do upon finding a northern snakehead, which can breathe air, is simple. First, residents should not release the fish. Secondly, “Kill it immediately (remember, it can survive on land) and freeze it.”

Fishermen who find a northern snakehead should take pictures, note where it was caught and then report it, the Georgia DNR said in a statement.

“Our first line of defense in the fight against aquatic invasive species, such as the northern snakehead, are our anglers,” Matt Thomas, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Resources Division, said in a statement.

“Thanks to the quick report by an angler, our staff was able to investigate and confirm the presence of this species in this water body. We are now taking steps to determine if they have spread from this water body and, hopefully, keep it from spreading to other Georgia waters,” Thomas said.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the northern snakehead is native to Eastern Asia and “preys on and competes with native species.”

The northern snakehead can grow to “3 feet in length,” according to the Georgia DNR.

“They have a long dorsal fin that runs along their whole back, and have a dark brown blotchy appearance. They can breathe air and can survive in low-oxygenated systems,” the department added.

Northern snakeheads are also known for having sharp teeth, slimy skin, a voracious appetite and the ability to survive on land for days at a time.

The Northern Snakehead, also called a Frankenfish, is known for their sharp teeth are not welcome in North America.