Nesting Habits

Abstract

Populations of northern snakehead have been established in parts of the Potomac River catchment for up to ten years, and the population in the Potomac River catchment is now expanding rapidly in abundance. Little is known about life history strategies of this species in its new environment. We report the first discovery of a northern snakehead nest in North America and discuss some of its nesting behaviors and habits. A circular nest was constructed in patches of dense Hydrilla verticillata by clipping stems, thus creating a canopy of floating plants. Eggs were laid above the floating stems and fry hatched within three days. Both male and female parents were observed guarding the eggs and fry in the nest, and continued guarding the school of fry when they left the nest. Prolonged schooling behaviors of the young made it possible to for continued guarding by parents for up to several weeks after leaving the nest. Floating nests and parental care probably increase reproductive success in a tidal ecosystem with abundant predators. These factors contribute to the ability of this species to persist and spread in its new environment.

References

Gascho Landis, A., and N. W. R. Lapointe. In preparation. First record of a northern snakehead (Channa argus) nest in North America.