Bowfin and Northern Snakehead

Two fish on a white background. The words northern snakehead point to a long narrow fish with python like markings and a long anal fin. The word bowfin points to a long fish with a short narrow anal fin.
Photo By/Credit

Snakehead illustration by Susan Trammell / USGS; Bowfin photo by Ryan Haggerty / USGS

Date Shot/Created
02/26/2024
Media Usage Rights/License
Public Domain
Image
Can you spot the different between a native bowfin and a northern snakehead? Northern Snakehead are an invasive species native to Asia that is primarily found in the mid-Atlantic. Bowfin are super cool native species that are long-lived and ancient. You can often find both in the same water body so which one should stay which should sashay away