Scientists find the invasive northern snake head that negatively affects other fish in part of Chesapiq Bay – Baltimore Fishboal

The invasive northern fish snake has negatively influenced other fish and the ecosystem in part of Chesapik Bay, according to a new study by the Maryland Natural Resources Department.

Born in East Asia, the Northern Snake (also known as Chesapik Chana) was documented for the first time in Maryland in 2002. The species have since expanded their population here after more fish have been illegally introduced and naturally scattered.

Scientists from the State Department of Natural Resources compare fishery communities in the drainage of the Black Houer River near Cambridge, Maryland, before and after Chesapiq Chana invaded local waters. Chesapiq Chana was first reported in the Black Tour River in 2012.

The study found that populations of 19 of the 22 local species have decreased since the introduction of non -capable species, changing the structure of the community and the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

The white perch, a brown Bill and the black crap were the three most insobous fish before being introduced into the Chesapik Chana area. Six years later, the three most common fish species were plain carp, dumbbell pattern and white perch in this order.

The abundance of most species decreases after the introduction of Chesapik Channa, but scientists have found that the black crap, the white perch, the blue zone and the pumpkin fish – all the popular prey for Chesapik Chana – experienced the largest losses.

The biologist of the Department of Natural Resources Dr. Joe Lav and co-authors Joshua J. Newhard and Megan Walker published their discoveries in the magazine for fish and wildlife management online in November 2024.

“We know that this is an opportunistic, a predatory species that could affect local fishery populations, but before that study whether their predation has changed the composition of water communities is unknown,” Lav said.

Instead of changing the conditions of water quality, scientists find that predation or displacement are the likely explanations for changes in other fishery populations and ecosystem.

Scientists have noted that the effects of Chesapik Chan on the Black Water River, the area they have studied may not be the same for other waterways.

The state has encouraged sports fishing and commercial collection of Chesapik Chana and other invasive fish species.

DNR reports that Chesapeake Channa has a similar taste and hard texture like Blue Catfish.

For more information about Chesapeake Channa fishing, visit the DNR website.

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