Snakehead Species

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Classification Summary for Invasive Species Template last updated February 2020 DRAFT: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Invasive Species Program, February 2020 Classification Screening for snakehead fish species, Channa spp. and Parachanna spp. Contents Classification Screening for snakehead fish species, Channa spp. and Parachanna spp. ......................................1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................1 Species Summary ....................................................................................................................................................2 Eligibility Screening .................................................................................................................................................3 Classification Screening ..........................................................................................................................................4 Summary .............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Appendix .............................................................................................................................................................. 14 References Cited .................................................................................................................................................. 15 Additional References ......................................................................................................................................... 17 RAMP References Cited ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Introduction This document is a guide to the Minnesota DNR’s authority under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D, to designate invasive species as prohibited or regulated invasive species. The conclusions and recommendations in this document are for information purposes only and do not require the DNR or any other entity to take a specific action. Page 1 of 17 More information about classifications of invasive species can be found on the DNR website (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/laws.html) and in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=84D). Prohibited, regulated, and unregulated species are listed in Minnesota Rules, chapter 6216 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=6216). How to fill out this classification screening For more detailed guidance on completing this document, see the DNR’s “Guidance for Invasive Species Classification Summaries”. The following is a brief guide: • Fill out the Species Summary section with the species name and a brief description of the species and its current regulatory status in Minnesota. • Answer the questions in the Eligibility Screening section to determine whether the species is eligible for regulation under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D. • If the species is eligible for regulation under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D, continue to answer the questions in the Classification Screening section and characterize the certainty of the answer for each question. • At the end of the classification screening questions, summarize the most important points from the answers and judge the overall certainty of the screening. • Finally, you should make a recommendation for classifying the species, based on the findings of the classification screening. • Update the table of contents when the document is completed. Species Summary Common name: Snakehead fish species Scientific name: Channa spp. and Parachanna spp. Brief description: The Channidae family is made up of the Channa and the Parachanna genera with 38 validated species (Conte-Grand et al. 2017). Species in this family can breathe air, only live in freshwater, and range in adult length from 7 inches to longer than six feet. In the past, snakeheads have been imported to the United States via food markets and aquarium trade. Three snakehead species have become established in the United States in Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Arkansas and Hawaii (Courtenay & Williams 2004; Fuller at al. 2017), living in a variety of habitats including lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. Channidae adults are predators, preferring to feed on other fish, as well as crustaceans, frogs, and small birds and reptiles. Spawning season varies by species but Page 2 of 17 mostly occurs in the summer months June through August. Most build nests where the larva will stay and be guarded by one or both parents (Courtenay & Williams 2004). Present classification in Minnesota: northern snakehead fish (Channa argus) is a prohibited invasive species; other species in the genera Channa and the Parachanna are unlisted nonnative species Proposed classification: Prohibited invasive species Current distribution of species: The Channa genus of the snakehead family are native to South, East, and Southeast Asia and parts of Russia (Courtenay & Williams 2004). The Parachanna genus is native to central West Africa around the equator (Courtenay & Williams 2004). Channa have been introduced to Japan, parts of Asia beyond its natural range, Europe, and the United States. Several species have established in the United States in Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Arkansas and Hawaii (Courtenay & Williams 2004; Fuller at al. 2017). Eligibility Screening These three questions determine whether the DNR has authority to regulate the species under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84D. 1. Is the species an aquatic plant or wild animal? For the purposes of this question, “species” includes “subspecies, genotypes, cultivars, hybrids, or genera” (Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.04 subd. 1). • Choose Yes or No; if yes, continue. 2. Is the species a pathogen or terrestrial arthropod regulated under Minnesota Statutes, sections 18G.01 to 18G.15? (Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.14(1)) • Choose Yes or No; if no, continue. 3. Is the species a mammal or bird defined as livestock in statute? (Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.14(1)). • Choose Yes or No; if no, continue. Page 3 of 17 Classification Screening Is it nonnative? To be classified as an invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, the species must be “nonnative”; that is, not “native” as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.01, subd. 11. This has two components. 1. Is the species nonnative in Minnesota? 1.1. Is the species naturally present or reproducing in Minnesota? No. No species in the Channidae family is naturally present or reproducing in Minnesota. 1.2. Does the species naturally expand from its historic range into Minnesota? No. Channa and Parachanna‘s natural range is in Asia and Africa, respectively. Three Channa species, northern snakehead, blotched snakehead, and bullseye snakehead have historic ranges of established populations in Arkansas, Florida and the eastern United States. They are expanding in their ranges in those states and regions. They have not expanded into Minnesota but have the potential to do so. How certain are these answers? 1.1. Reasonably certain, USGS records show no previous Channa or Parachanna presence or establishment in Minnesota; 1.2. Very certain, supported by peer- reviewed literature. Likelihood of introduction This is a criterion for classification of an invasive species under Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.04, subd. 2(1). The terms “introduce” and “introduction” are defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.01. 2. Is the species likely to be introduced to Minnesota if it is allowed to enter or exist in the state? Channa and Parachanna species could be introduced to Minnesota by the following pathways: • Fishing: Snakehead species could potentially enter Minnesota through fishing. There is some interest in the eastern U.S. to allow snakehead gamefish status because they are challenging to catch and valued for cooking (Shollenberger et al. 2019). Recreational fisheries are beginning to appear in Southeast Asia (67 FR 48855 2002) Minnesota law only prohibits northern snakehead, so there is potential for other snakehead species to enter Minnesota via fishermen for sport- fishing. • Aquaria: Snakehead species could be introduced to Minnesota via aquaria. Previous to 2002, snakehead species could be bought in pet stores (USGS 2004). Their unique shapes and colors Page 4 of 17 are attractive qualities, but due to their high cost, piscivorous diet, rapid growth, and large adult size, there is only a small niche of interested U.S. aquarists. Illegal pet trade and online stores still offer snakehead species. In 2003, a single giant snakehead specimen that was found in Wisconsin’s Rock River near Janesville. It was captured by Wisconsin’s Department of Resources where they suspected it was released by an aquarist (Courtenay & Williams 2004; Associated Press 2003). Two northern snakeheads were released by an aquarist into a pond in Crofton, Maryland in 2002, where they spawned hundreds of babies (Wood 2012; Kiehl 2002). There is potential for a Minnesota aquarist to purposefully or accidentally release their pet snakehead. • Aquaculture: There is potential for snakehead species to enter Minnesota through aquaculture. Despite the fact that in many states it’s illegal to possess or transport live snakehead specimen, a person may want to cultivate snakehead for

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