Environmental officials will be surveying Harlem Meer this week searching for the northern snakehead fish - an invasive type of toothy predator fish native to China, Russia and Korea. In recent years it has been spotted in Queens, as well as Harlem Meer - the man-made lake in Central Park's northeast corner between 106th and 110th streets.
The fish feeds on frogs and crayfish and can breathe air and live for days out of water in certain conditions. Because it is so disruptive to the ecosystem, the state has banned possession, sale and transport of the fish and its eggs.
Signs have recently been posted around Harlem Meer warning anglers not to release it if caught, but to "secure the fish" and "keep it in a secure container until it is picked up by officials." The sign asks that anyone who has caught a snakehead fish call 311 to report it, in the event park officials cannot be found at the boathouse.
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Photo Credit: Boblake