They say the truth is stranger than fiction, and that definitely applies to the northern snakehead. Dubbed Frankenfish, northern snakeheads are creepy in appearance and have the ability to survive on land. Though they sound like something straight from a sci-fi movie, they exist and are becoming more common in Mississippi. Take a look:
Exploring our state is always an adventure, but there’s so much to see beyond its borders! Sign up for our Bucket List Newsletter to see must-visit destinations throughout the nation and inspire your travels, both near and far.
This is the northern snakehead, an invasive fish species that’s been found in at least 14 U.S. states.
Roo72/Wikimedia
Northern snakeheads are native to Asia. Like carp, they were probably brought to the U.S. as an aquarium fish or food source and then released into the wild.
KeepOpera/Wikimedia
Odd looking to say the least, northern snakeheads have been fittingly dubbed Frankenfish or Fishzilla.
Wie146/Wikimedia
But it’s not just their creepy appearance and rows of tiny sharp teeth that have earned the fish their nicknames. There’s also the fact that they can go dormant on land, enabling them to live out of water.
Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr
The strange fish are now somewhat of a common sight in Mississippi waterways, but it wasn’t always that way. The first northern snakehead wasn’t spotted in Mississippi until 2017.
Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr
Like we mentioned earlier, northern snakeheads have been deemed invasive - and that’s because of their likelihood to battle with native species over food and habitat.
Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr
Because of their invasive status, officials have advised fishermen to kill Frankenfish, should they catch one.
Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr
Roo72/Wikimedia
KeepOpera/Wikimedia
Wie146/Wikimedia
Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr
Did you know about this strange fish? Or its presence in Mississippi? Ever seen one in person? Tell us in the comments section.
Want to know what else Mother Nature has in store for us? Click here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Mississippi, USA
