see text The snakeheads are members of the freshwater perciform fish family Channidae, native to parts of Africa and Asia.

They likely originated in the south Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent (modern-day northern India and eastern Pakistan) at least 50 million years ago (Mya), during the Early Eocene epoch.

[5] As Channidae are adapted to climates of high precipitation with mean temperatures of 20 °C (68 °F), their migrations into Europe and Asia correspond to the development of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which increased air humidity, and the intensification of the East Asian monsoon.

[5] Snakeheads can become invasive species and cause ecological damage because, in many areas to which they are not native, the absence of natural enemies makes them an apex predator.

In parts of Asia and Africa, the snakehead is considered a valuable food fish since the flesh is very tender, and is produced in aquacultures (fisheries motivation) or by accidental release (as was the case in Crofton, Maryland).

[12] According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, snakeheads have also been spotted in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Louisiana,[13] and Rhode Island.

Due to the extensive habitat available and sheer size of the Delaware River, complete eradication of the species does not appear to be feasible.

[16] According to the International Game Fish Association, two 13.61 kg (30 lb 0 oz) giant snakeheads, both from Rawang, Malaysia are tied for the record.

[20] After its release in non-native North American waters, either accidentally or intentionally, the aggressive and predator-free snakehead's reputation as a "Frankenfish"[21] or "monster fish" has become part of popular culture.

In the Animal Planet TV series River Monsters, Jeremy Wade shows a dramatization of a snakehead, "the fish from hell", stalking an unsuspecting baby and a Chihuahua.

In the animated series Penguins of Madagascar, the snakehead is portrayed as a ferocious killer fish of monstrous size with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth that scared off a family of ducks from their pond in Central Park.