Montgomery Countyians have faced off some rather formidable foes when it comes to invasive creatures in local neighborhoods, parks, and lawns. The out-and-out war on spotted lanternflies has been ongoing since 2014. And as any fan of the county waterways knows, signage listing tips to contain the New Zealand mudsnail have been around sites like Deep Creek Lake at Green Lane Park for a while.

But currently (and perhaps appropriately, given Halloween season), there’s another natural foe getting ongoing attention.

It’s a submarine-shaped, toothy fish that can grow in excess of 33 inches, reported Susan Miers Smith for the Reading Eagle.

The scientific name, channa argus, belies the monstrous appearance of this spooky swimmer.

Better names have been attached: Snakehead fish. Frankenfish. Fishzilla. The Fish from Hell.

Native to China, Russia and Korea, it’s invaded rivers across the U.S. and Pa. The northern varieties can withstand cold temperatures and are hearty enough to live out of the water for three days.

“During all of their life stages, snakehead fish compete with native species for food and habitat,” reports the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The USGS is concerned that snakeheads — known to be voracious predators — might out-compete and displace native or established predatory fish.

That could drastically disrupt food webs and ecological conditions, reports the USGS.

The first confirmed harvest of the fish in Pennsylvania was at Philadelphia’s FDR Park in 2004.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website suggests anglers who catch one should not release it but report it to the Commission.

Read more in The Reading Eagle‘s June 2022 report about snakehead fish.

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Channa argus is nightmarishly appropriate for caution in Halloween season.