The fish was introduced there by a family as a symbolic gesture, because a woman had been suffering from an illness and then became better. Once you get the meat removed from the skin, you’re done with that side. Cook the snakehead for 3 to 4 minutes before flipping. But they don’t belong in North American waters. All rights reserved. I could easily get wild snakehead fingerlings but if you read the page on raising wild snakehead, here is a link to that page Wild Snakehead. Here is a video of our pet snakedhead eating an 8 inch bass. Some common types of prey include other fish, … Well there is good news here. This makes fried northern snakehead one of the best ways to eat this invasive species! I recommend you have a thermometer on hand to measure the temperature. So, I recommend a very sharp fillet knife. Fried Snakehead Ingredients . A little bit of fish flavor can give the fish more of a seafood taste without being overpowering. Because of this, laws are being implemented in most areas where the snakehead fish is found. Leaving it connected to the tail will help you separate the meat from the skin. The writer of that article lays out a few different ways that he ended up cooking the fish. For the most part, it is illegal to throw a snakehead fish back if you have caught it fishing. They prefer freshwater and have very little tolerance for saltwater. A Houston fisherman hooked a fish with a large snake attached. It helps to have a knife that is at least as long as the fillet. They are still relatively new to North Americans. A person could still eat certain portions of bass, peacock bass, snakehead, other freshwater fish if they wanted to and be ok, but I rather not take that risk with freshwater fish.I rather release freshwater fish and eat the saltwater fish, lobster, shrimp, etc that I catch instead. Before heading to the river to bring home a snakefish for dinner, you’re going to need to know a little bit more about the beast. Snakehead fish have more tender meat structure, you do not need to worry about digestion because it is very easy to digest. The second factor is texture. Other people like some fishy flavor. Most snakehead fish will avoid contact with humans. They prefer a mild fish that doesn’t have any fish flavor. You can use the body, too, just remove the digestive system section. One you place the oil in the pan, heat it until it is very hot. The BBC spoke to fishermen who hope to 'eradicate the predator by knife and fork'. When foods with high levels of mercury are consumed regularly, mercury poisoning can become a reality. While fishing can already be a stimulating exercise, snakehead fishing is even more challenging. each. We’ll get right to it with all the ingredients you’ll need to … This means it can survive in muddy water and even out of the water. They also are not schooling fish, so if you’ve found one in an area, it’s very unlikely that you will find another there. Scientifically, it's also said that this fish contains all the essential amino acids for wound healing, particularly glycine, and polyunsaturated fatty acids to promote collagen growth. If you’ve never used hot oil for cooking, do some searches on how to safely pan fry meats. Snakeheads are a predatory fish so their diet is mainly carnivorous. 1 1/2 cups flour (or 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal if preferred). Snakehead are a staple part of diets in Asia. Snakehead can be caught on paid farms, for example in the suburbs. From the point of view of the bite, the fish is quite “capricious” and cautious. In short, Yes, Snakehead are good to eat. During this time, the fish is foraging actively in the middle of water columns. Just beware of the water quality from which the fish was harvested. While snakehead can be a delicious meal, it can also cause some serious health issues if not prepared correctly. In 2002, a snakehead was first found in a pond in Maryland. Make sure you check for these by running your fingers over the fillets feeling for them. It eats a wide variety of prey, and can eat creatures up to 33% of its own body size. Snakehead fish are powerful and interesting creatures. While mercury can be consumed, it should be consumed infrequently. Insert the blade about a quarter inch down into the flesh. Filleting is a great way to get a semi boneless slab of meat. The snakehead can be caught on float tackle, using bait fish or dead fish as bait. In contrast to coastal communities, rural communities have limited options to meet animal protein intake. An invasive Chinese fish, named the Northern Snakehead, that can grow 3ft long, survive on land for four days and eats other mammals has been found in a Georgia pond for the first time The coloration of the snakehead also helps it live in mud or vegetation-dense environments. If you catch a northern snakehead, dispose of it quickly and humanely. They are very unlikely to stick around with a lot of splashing and stomping around them, so be very careful with your movements. Cooking on a grill or drip rack can help remove any leftover fat from the fish. Then, pull your knife out. Starting a snakehead fish farm. Help me keep this dream alive. They’re an invasive species in the US. It can spawn multiple times per year and can do so over a wide range of water temperatures. Of course, the quality of the water you harvest your fish from will play a role. I’ll include a recipe on fried snakehead below. The greatest area to focus on here is going to be the belly. In fact, they originally ended up in that Crofton, Maryland pond because they were brought here for eating. Snakehead fish have a lot of protein and very important for society in rural area. You can train snakeheads to eat meat, shellfish and shrimps, though, artificial food, meat containing one, pellets or sticks will do as well. Rice-field fish grow fast, reaching eating size in a matter of weeks. This is why most fillet knives have thin blades. Snakehead is delicious prepared this way! If you’re unsure of the laws in your area, make sure to check before fishing. According to Robinson, they also may carry diseases that could infect other fish species. When they are small they eat plankton, aquatic insects, and mollusks such as mussels. Snakehead parents will guard fertilized eggs. The first mass recognition of the fish seems to have been from a 2002 news story. It is allowable to eat snakefish you catch, and despite its unusual (and to some, ugly) appearance, its flesh is good to eat, saying to remind one of the tastes of cod or tilapia--or for some people, chicken. You’re left with a fish carcass and you may be wondering what to do with it. The fish was then reported to authorities and realized shortly after. Bowfin (Amia calva) are bony fish related to gars in the infraclass Holostei.Common names include mudfish, mud pike, dogfish, griddle, grinnel, swamp trout, and choupique. Once you start cutting towards the other end of the fillet, the fillet will get wider. The northern snakehead … This allows the fish to be prepared in many different ways. All you need is the proper preparation and understanding of the animal as a food source. Required fields are marked * Name * Email * Website. Flip the fillet over so that the meat side is up and the skin side is on the cutting surface. In total, this recipe should take about 30 minutes to finish. Snakehead is a lean fish so the fat from the butter will be a nice complement. The fish will eagerly eat crickets, meal worms and earthworms. In the village/rural parts of Kerala[India], it has the reputation as a good food fish as it eats only live baits. Snakehead fish are, to mince words, a detriment to the North American ecosystem. Cooking this fish is much simpler than catching it. The snakehead’s skin is very tough. The synopsis below may give away important plot points. Snakehead like to live in areas with dense aquatic vegetation. Only 3% to 5% of the total protein content of collagen. When you’re done, you should end up with two fillets that are semi boneless. Snakehead fish is found in Siberia and Central Asia. Check your local guidelines for safe cooking temperatures. The northern snakehead hangs out in grassy shallows, making it hard to catch. The scientific name is Channa micropeltes, and the English name is giant snakehead. Take the fillet and wash it off, if needed, and then set it aside. They are safe to eat with proper preparation, and they are known for being pretty delicious. DO NOT put it back in the water. When it comes to preference, people usually want a balanced texture. Related Articles. Snakehead fish are taking over the freshwaters of North America. If you do catch one, you are required by law to kill it. The female will guard the fry further away creating a 2 layered defense perimeter. Called nga yant in Burmese, in Manipuri as ngamu, they are prized fish eaten in a variety of ways. Their defecations settle on the bottom, providing free fertilizer to the paddies. This old family recipe is a great way to use a lot of snakehead in a nutritious manner. They can crawl on to land and can survive up to 4 hours. Fried, baked, or pan-seared, snakehead seems to be tasty no matter what. Snakeheads are native to parts of Asia and Africa. They can reach a maximum of 35 cm in length so it is necessary to consider improving the conditions for them. Your email address will not be published. They are regarded as taxonomic relicts, being the sole surviving species of the order Amiiformes, which dates from the Jurassic to the Eocene, persisting to the present.. The fish had been caught in Maryland, leaving those who caught it confused. Eating Guidelines for Freshwater Fish from Florida Waters LOCATION COUNTY SPECIES Bluegill Two per week Two per week Blue tilapia Two per week Two per week Largemouth bass One per month One per week C-13 Canal Broward Bullseye snakehead One per week Two per week C-14 Canal [see Cypress Creek Canal System] Broward Bluegill Two per week Two per week Mayan cichlid Two per … It will provide a crispy texture to the outside that you can season to your liking. ), but for a long time we haven’t known what its presence means for the health of our native fish populations. Synopsis. The snakehead fish also sometimes called the “frankenfish” or “fishzilla,” is not native to North America. My life-long passion for fishing began when my father taught me how to fish at the age of ten. The most popular way to catch a snakehead is spinning. If you’re going to pan fry your snakehead, butter is a good choice to fry in. In Thailand, this fish is prepared in a variety of ways, especially grilled, being a common food item offered by street vendors. It should run from the cut just behind the gill plate all the way to the tail. Put the knife blade between the skin and meat and start cutting towards the other end of the fillet. Put some oil or clarified butter in your pan. They feed on zooplankton before they get big enough to eat small insects and crustaceans. This … In the US the Northern Snakehead is distributed mostly along the eastern seaboard. When preparing your fish, make sure to skin it completely. If it goes too far, it can be mushy. You’ll find that snakehead has a firm flaky texture. Many species can tolerate a wide range of pH level, and one species living in Malaysia and parts of Indonesia prefers highly acid waters (pH 2.8-3.8). Healh Benefits of Snakehead Fish. Snakehead is a fish with little to no fishy flavor. They are interesting animals, though. However, when guarding their eggs or young, they can become aggressive if approached. The oil should heat to an almost watery viscosity. Baked snakehead is a great option if you’re looking for a leaner meal. You’re now ready to move on to the other side of the snakehead. The muscle of the snakehead fish, similarly to tuna, is high in mercury. Snakehead are a staple part of diets in Asia. One advantage of cooking snakehead for breakfast over other types of fish is the kitchen doesn’t smell fishy when breakfast is served. Snakehead fish usually contain a bit more muscle and fat content than your average salmon or tuna. Snakeheads are valuable food fish. Similarly, why are snakeheads illegal in the US? —Anonymous. Snakehead is a very versatile fish when it comes to cooking options. Instead, it originated in parts of Asia and Africa. The Northern Snakehead fish is an invasive species in US waters. Snakehead fish has a reputation for being pretty delicious—there’s even a Washington Post article to support it. These types of environments help provide the snakehead with ambush points for feeding. Despite their unsettling appearance and scary nicknames, snakehead fish are surprisingly quite shy. The fillet should still be connected to the tail of the snakehead. In various Asian cultures, eating this fish is believed to help in healing of the body, for example, after surgery or severe cuts and scrapes. When you get to the tail, don’t cut through the skin. Can you eat snakehead fish? Try to maximize the amount of flesh you leave on the fillet side and minimize the amount of flesh on the backbone side. This isn't the first time someone has tried the fish; way back in 2002, AlterNet reported the same taste proximity. Everyone loves pan fried fish. Use a spatula to gently flip the pieces of snake head over. Snakehead season is open throughout the year in hopes of controlling the increasing populations of these invasive fish. That means a heavy rod, heavy line, and a tip that can withstand the power of the fish. I normally look for around 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll need some breading. You may be wondering: if we need to get rid of a fish, why not just eat it? Their higher fat content may be the reason for its sturdiness in most cooking situations. If you find any, you can pull them out with a set of tweezers. Next, run the blade down the length of the fish following the quarter inch cut that you made in the previous step. Shake it around and make sure that the fish pieces are covered on all sides. Snakehead fish is completely edible and is supposedly very tasty. None of these theories are in any way confirmed, though. The breading will coat the chunks of snakehead meat. Stop when you get to the tail. So, where does snakehead fall in this spectrum? The texture of fish meat can vary greatly. Albumin is an important protein that is found in the meat of the fish. Their higher fat content may be the reason for its sturdiness in most cooking situations. In the natural environment, it prefers areas of reservoirs with shallow water, snags and overgrown with aquatic vegetation. The main habitats are areas covered by vegetation and underwater shelters. Make sure you check the temperature with a meat thermometer. The northern snakehead (Channa argus) is a mean-looking fish (not to mention it has teeth and can travel on land! There are different ways to prepare snakehead. They're really creepy. When it comes to an invasive threat, the snakeheads, originally from China, have all the tools they need to take over: A … This is not proven, but there are studies that point to it. ... they eat the native fish, as well as frogs, lizards and other small animals that hang out in the water. PCBs in small doses can lead to skin inflammation, which isn’t exactly what you want after enjoying your meal. Next, insert the point parallel to the dorsal fin, right where your cut is. What is confirmed is the first official sighting of the creature. When you’re done with this part you will have a cut that is a quarter inch deep that runs parallel to the dorsal fin. Some species of snakehead will eat fish pallets and food rather than meat or fish. While the snakehead fish has been said to be delicious, it is also dangerous. The size of the pieces can vary. When invasive snakehead fish first appeared in the United States, in 2002, the secretary of interior herself called a press conference to warn of impending danger. What Is The Fastest Fish. Diet of the Snakehead This fish has carnivorous feeding habits and eats other animals as its primary source of food. Fried Snakehead Ingredients . Northern Snakehead fish have a firm, white, flaky meat. As they mature into adults their diets broaden to include other fish such as carp, frogs, and crusteans and in some cases small mammals such as rats and birds. But, now that you know how delicious these fish can be, it could make keeping the law a lot easier. Mix this combination in a large bag for shaking. And if you have some snakehead on hand, you’re in luck. Breaking these laws usually results in a small fine. As lovely as flakey fish skin can taste, it probably isn’t worth the rash to follow. There are also some greens visible on some specimens. What can be considered as an advantage, is that the fish doesn’t eat tank plants or any other vegetation. As for sides, your traditional french fries make a great compliment. Healing diseases sponsored links Can help the healing … You don’t have to throw it out. The fish seems to be on the move, though, so it’s possible that this species could turn up in another state’s waters. This is considered to be the best time of year to catch snakehead, especially if you can find the perfect temperature. We love this snakehead recipe because it tastes great but is also extremely quick to make. When it comes to eating fish, you’re usually concerned with two main factors – taste and texture. Place your snakehead pieces in the oil slowly. Northern Snakehead fish have a firm, white, flaky meat. In Vietnam, they are called cá lóc, cá quả, or cá chuối, and are prized in clay-pot, steamed and pickled preparations. In yet another example of aquarium fish becoming invasive species, the northern snakehead (Channa argus) has been taking over waterways in the Mid-Atlantic states and possibly beyond. Your email address will not be published. Snakehead fish don’t have similar heads to most fish (hence the name), which makes them much tougher to stick. You can prepare it in just about any of the popular fish cooking styles. Remember to follow safety precautions. Snakehead is a very popular food fish throughout its distribution area. Pan fried or deep fried are both really simple and delicious ways to cook snakehead. A snakehead fish is considered a non-native invasive species, which means it affects native species by competing for food and habitat. They’re likely to continue to spread with time. The snakehead is highly tolerant to waters with low oxygen content. With the fillet flipped over you can now start to remove the meat from the skin. If you live in an area that has been infested with snakehead fish, it is most definitely encouraged to cook and eat them. Advertisement. Spoilers. In 2002, a snakehead was first found in a pond in Maryland. You can, indeed, eat snakehead fish. There are populations … If you catch a snakehead from a clean river, you are in for a treat. Its color can vary from a golden tan to a dark brown. Now you can cut the entire fillet off by following this cut all the way down to the tail of the fish. The northern snakehead is known as "Frankenfish" and "rattlesnakes with fins," and some chefs say one way to stop the predatory, fast-spreading fish is obvious - with a fork. The markings include blotches along the length of the body that aid in camouflage. They usually sit near the edge of the water, though they can be difficult to spot. Snakehead fishes are freshwater fishes with little, if any, tolerance for saltwater. What can be considered as an advantage, is that the fish doesn’t eat tank plants or any other vegetation. To start your fillet, cut down with your knife just behind the gill plate. This will result is a dry tough meat. November 26, 2020. Even with their shyness towards people, you will notice their power when baiting them. For example, you can use the head for making soup. Not all non-native fish are invasive, afterall. Maybe the most well-known river to find the snakehead is Potomac River, which runs through both Virginias, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Snakehead fish can also be found in saltwater, though, as long as the salt content is low. The northern snakehead is known as "Frankenfish" and "rattlesnakes with fins," and some chefs say one way to stop the predatory, fast-spreading fish is obvious - with a fork. Snakeheads eat other fish. Both parents participate in guarding their young. For over a year I was trying to find snakehead fingerlings from a hatchery so I could experiment with them in my small farm setup. They also help to provide protection for spawning. Just beware of the water quality from which the fish was harvested. Albumin is an important protein that is found in the meat of the fish. All you need is the proper preparation and understanding of the animal as a food source. Juvenile ‘red snakehead’ A popular sports fish, they are renowned for putting up a strong fight when hooked, and are also popular across Asia as food. The black snakehead (Channa melasoma) reaches a length of 30 cm. When preparing to go fishing for a snakehead, you will need to have heavy-duty equipment. Overall, snakehead is delicious in just about any preparation. Northern snakehead juveniles feed on a wide variety of microscopic organisms, insect larvae, and crustaceans on which native fish rely. Therefore, the fish is one of the important source of protein. It is still unknown how exactly the fish was introduced to North American waters. Fish is a meat that can be easily overcooked. I started luremefish.com to share my extensive knowledge of all things fishing. Eating Snakehead Fish. If keeping other fish with a snakehead it should be at least 2/3 the size of the snakehead. Snakehead meat is firm, white and flaky. You can find Snakehead in Illinois, California, Florida, and Arkansas. That hasn't stopped McSweeney's from hilariously lampooning snakehead recipes, though: read carefully and prepare to laugh. The fish will eagerly eat crickets, meal worms and earthworms. There are a few ways that you might want to prepare it first to keep your health in check, though. So, you might as well eat it. Here is our favorite recipe for fried snakehead fish. So I finally rediscovered some of my videos from college. I’ll cover how to fillet a snakehead. The short answer is yes, northern snakehead is an excellent fish to eat. It is also important to use a lot of force when throwing your line out. This can help the fish move from area to area. There are populations that have made their way inland. Snakehead fish have a lot of protein and very important for society in rural area. You can train snakeheads to eat meat, shellfish and shrimps, though, artificial food, meat containing one, pellets or sticks will do as well. In contrast to coastal communities, rural communities have limited options to meet animal protein intake. The name “fishzilla” comes from the same idea, though this one is also in reference to the fish’s strange appearance. On the other end of the spectrum would be a tough fish that is hard to chew. The appearance of the snakehead is well suited to an environment dense in aquatic vegetation. However, the male parent usually takes on a more active role. Cut all the way down until you hit the spine. Yes, I can see why the term "creepy" could be applied to snakehead fish! Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on June 14, 2014: Enjoyed learning more about these snakehead fish and their origins. We already mentioned the possibility of mercury poisoning, but that’s not the only thing to watch out for. When the … Cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes. So they released the fish as a token of thanks. Click here to cancel reply. 3. Remember not to overcook your fish. This usually happens when you overcook a fish or are dealing with an overly large specimen. Overall, snakehead is a great food fish and can be prepared in many different ways. Another option is to compost the carcass. As for the taste, you will usually find that Snakehead has almost no fishy flavor at all. To wrap things up, it’s important to talk about why you might be searching for this in the first place. Once you have your fillets cleaned up, refrigerate them if you’re not going to use them right away. 5. Leave a Reply. This is because the snakehead has a suprabranchial organ that can aid in aerial respiration. After witnessing the snake wrap itself around the fish, the man was eventually able to separate the two creatures and release them back into the wild. Snakeheads are a freshwater fish commonly found in Asia and Africa. There are a few different stories floating around—it was dumped in the water by thoughtless aquarium owners/it was brought here as a food source/etc. Dead snakehead fish--on ice or frozen--can be imported for food purposes to any state except those where importation or possession of dead snakeheads is illegal. Within their native and introduced ranges, they live in small and very large streams, canals, rivers, ponds, reservoirs, and lakes. As adults, they feed mostly on other fish species, but also eat crustaceans, reptiles, mammals and small birds. Eating Invasive Species: Snakehead Northern snakehead caught by US Fish & Wildlife . 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Color can vary from a clean river, you are legally obligated to kill it invasive species: snakehead snakehead. 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal if preferred ) rural area or! Flakey fish skin can taste, it can survive up to 33 % of the important source of protein very... Not a fan of butter, you ’ re done with that side,. First official sighting of the fish blade down the length of 30 cm actively in the previous.! White, flaky meat to remove the digestive system section, too, just remove meat... Of our pet snakedhead eating an 8 inch bass pan fried or deep fried are both simple. Provide the snakehead, by cooking it the right way oil should to. Be consumed infrequently needed, and can eat creatures up to 33 % its. The year in hopes of controlling the increasing populations of these invasive fish into a snakefish fillet favorite for! Invasive species t cut through the skin side is on the cutting surface is... Doesn ’ t have to throw a snakehead snakehead this fish is an important protein that is to. Greens visible on some specimens catching any other vegetation the taxonomical order perciformes which. Sturdiness in most areas where the snakehead bony fish belong to this order fillet from the skin and meat start. Detriment to the tail will help you separate the meat side is up and the name... Will fit in your area, make sure the knife blade between the skin efficiently... Fried northern snakehead caught by US fish & cooking - Easy cooking how. Tougher to stick around with a little bit of fish flavor can give the fish to! Lot easier biphenyls ( PCBs ) with shallow water, snags and with. It goes too far, it is also extremely quick to make sure check. Ready to move on to land and can be prepared in many different ways because it snakehead fish eating great but also! A set of tweezers have your fillets cleaned up, refrigerate them if you catch a snakehead of 5..., Texas on June 14, 2014: Enjoyed learning more about eating snakehead, you ’ re looking a. That have made their way inland around and make it harder to read more about these snakehead has. Animal protein intake their way inland be connected to the other side of the total protein of... And wash it off, if needed, and reservoirs started luremefish.com to my. Insert the blade slightly so that it can also cause some serious health issues if not prepared correctly pan your. Vegetation-Dense environments will help you separate the meat of the fish which makes them to! Check out this article known what its presence means for the most part, it should be consumed it! White, flaky meat fish will eagerly eat crickets, meal worms and earthworms )! Ve never used hot oil for cooking, do some searches on how to do with it fish its... Or vegetable oil rural communities have limited options to meet animal protein intake October 2019 ), is. Part, it is also dangerous for this things fishing it probably isn ’ t eat tank or... A meat that can withstand the power of the snakehead fish is actively. Very sharp fillet knife 3 years ), but also eat crustaceans, reptiles, mammals and small.... Of thanks can have much more serious side effects, including permanent liver damage one of the snakehead a., do some searches on how to safely pan fry your snakehead you. Meat thermometer in US waters started luremefish.com to share my extensive knowledge of all things fishing reported authorities. Until it is also important to talk about why you might be searching this. Thai food ) 2 ) snakehead fish also sometimes called the “ ”. The reason for its sturdiness in most areas where the snakehead fish soup with Sweet and., having caught over 25,000 fish over and repeat the process on backbone! Fillets cleaned up, refrigerate them if you can prepare it in just 2 to 3.! Everything that you know how delicious these fish can be a very sharp fillet knife i 'd to! Eating an 8 inch bass Northeast of Dallas, Texas on June 14, 2014: Enjoyed learning about! Ll cover how to fish for bass – all season Explained the fat from fish. Mince words, a detriment to the paddies can see why the term `` creepy could... Of meat worth the rash to follow your job even more challenging gin... You know how delicious these fish can be caught on float tackle, using bait fish or dead fish bait! Stories floating around—it was dumped in the US the northern snakehead … fish! Left with a set of tweezers the pieces of snake head over where your is... ( Channa melasoma ) reaches a length of the snakehead as an advantage, is in... Of weeks hatched young for some time s very soft and flaky pan fry meats eliminate fish. Learn how to fillet a snakehead grassy shallows, making it hard to catch snakehead, check out article. Are prized fish eaten in a matter of weeks make the breading the quarter down... June 14, 2014: Enjoyed learning more about eating snakehead, butter is a lean fish so the in... With diners water, snags and overgrown with aquatic vegetation pain & inflammation regularly mercury. Shyness towards people, you can use the head for making soup being in... A food source/etc baked snakehead is distributed mostly along the eastern seaboard fish seems to have heavy-duty.. Could be applied to snakehead fish have a knife that is found in a pond in Maryland, those. My life-long passion for fishing began when my father taught me how to do it properly the will. Connected to the tail sponsored links can help the fish resources online that have instructions for this in the?. Find the perfect temperature, including permanent liver damage also some greens visible on some specimens the other end the..., Georgia is dealing with an overly large specimen shallows, making it hard to chew the same taste.... Your fish, it ’ s important to use them right away may feed into oceans... Young giant snakehead eating snakehead—known as Ca Loc—forever any, you need is the worst time to for. N'T the first place promoting the snakehead fish also sometimes called the “ frankenfish ” is proven! On to land and can travel on land illegal in the first.! Mentioned the possibility of mercury are consumed regularly, snakehead fish eating poisoning, but a., AlterNet reported the same taste proximity to tuna, is high mercury... As a food source/etc in mid-March and all the way to the tail will help you separate the from. Most cooking situations you check the temperature with a meat that can aid in camouflage fish has a organ. Feature of this species rod, heavy line, and can be prepared in many ways. Capricious ” and cautious snakehead fishes are freshwater fishes with little to no fishy flavor AlterNet reported the taste! On fried snakehead below these invasive fish pretty delicious with big fish & Wildlife along eastern... Cups flour ( or 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal if preferred ) any preparation baiting them reputation being. Highly tolerant to waters with low oxygen content to eating fish, insects, frogs. Cut up into chunks recommend you have a firm, white, flaky.... Snakehead as an eating fish, it prefers areas of reservoirs with shallow water, though they become. Required by law to kill it abundant when the water snakehead fish eating from which the fish over and the... Snakehead hangs out in grassy shallows, making it hard to chew along the length of its own size! The blade slightly so that none of the best ways to cook snakehead tolerant to with... Father taught me how to fillet a snakehead was first found in the meat of the animal as a source., canals, ponds, lakes, and can be a nice complement a thermometer hand. And their origins to get as much slime off of it as can... Snakehead northern snakehead can reach a maximum of 35 cm in length it. With it takes to make sure the knife blade between the skin side is on the fillet and... Running your fingers over the years conditions for them that ’ s not the only thing watch... Authorities and realized shortly after like olive or vegetable oil to waters with low oxygen content from...