Species Description:

Bullseye snakehead is an invasive fish that can be distinguished from native burbot, bowfin, and other invasive snakehead fish by the distinctive orange spot near the tail.

​

It can grow up to 47 inches and has a dark brown coloration above and orange coloration below.

​

Snakeheads can spawn up to five times per year and a female snakehead can lay anywhere between 1,300 to 15,000 eggs, depending on her size and overall health.

​

Preferred Habitat:

It can be found in many habitats, including deep clear lakes and rivers with rocky to sandy substrate or in vegetated areas of swamps, slow-moving rivers, lakes, and canals.

​

Reason for ANS Designation:

This predator may impact native species by consuming sunfish and other small fish, lizards, and toads, which are food for the native fish.

It can breathe air, which makes it difficult to control since it can move across land to escape control efforts.

​

Place of Origin:

Bullseye snakehead is native to South Asia, from Pakistan to southern China. It was illegally stocked in Florida and first documented in 2000. Live food markets are thought to spread this species.

​

Chinese (牛眼黑鱼）

French (tête( de serpent bullseye)

Japanese (ブルズアイ・スネークヘッド)

Korean (불스아이 스네이크헤드)

Thai  (ปลาช่อนเป้า)

Veitnamese (cá lóc mắt bò)