What’s going on? 

A population of goldline snakehead, a non-native, air-breathing fish, has been documented for the first time in the Gulf Coast region. Upon discovery in a freshwater pond in Manatee County, wildlife officials removed about 400 of the fish. 

Why it matters? 

Native to Asia, this predatory fish can withstand diverse environmental conditions and poses a significant risk to native ecosystems. While populations of goldline snakehead have existed in Broward County since around 2000, their discovery in the Gulf is unexpected.  

Researchers believe that the snakeheads in Manatee County are due to human transport rather than natural dispersal, given the distance between the populations. 

Throughout all life stages, snakehead fish compete with native species for food and habitat. 

A major concern among wildlife officials is that snakeheads might outcompete and displace important native species, thereby disrupting Florida’s freshwater ecosystems.  

 What you can do. 

• Go fishing for the goldline snakehead. 
• If you catch one, do not release it! Immediately place it on ice or humanely euthanize it. 
• Report your catches to the FWC: 
  • Call the Exotic Species Hotline, (888-483-4681) 
  • Email: ExoticFreshwaterFishID@myfwc.com 

• Take a picture with your phone and note the location. 

Image from INaturalist user: gotcritters (CC-BY-NC).

Information from: Florida Museum, USGS, Everglades CISMA