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Biologists sound warning after snakehead fish reported in suburban Vancouver pond

Canada prides itself on welcoming newcomers, but one Asian immigrant is getting a chilly reception.

A predatory northern snakehead fish, which eats almost anything and can even jump out of the water to attack small animals, has reportedly been discovered swimming in a small pond in a suburban Vancouver park. The spread of snakeheads has the potential to disrupt aquatic systems almost everywhere in Canada.

Snakeheads have been a growing problem in some U.S. states after being released into rivers and lakes by people who bought them live in food markets, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Officials in Burnaby are investigating the reported sighting in Central Park, the Vancouver Sun reported.

A park visitor videotaped what he said looked like a snakehead lolling in the pond, which is home to carp, koi, and turtles, on Mother's Day.

"We haven't actually witnessed it ourselves," Don Hunter, assistant director of Burnaby parks, told the Sun.

According to the DFO, snakeheads can grow up to 1.5 metres long. Adults can weigh six kilograms and the Sun reports spawning females mate up to five times a year and release up to 15,000 eggs at a time.

Equipped with a sharp teeth, they are highly aggressive.

"They have a primitive lung that allows them to move across land to other water bodies," said biology professor Michael Russello of the University of British Columbia.

"They're very scary. They're an ambush predator. They can take a small dog."

They've been dubbed "Frankenfish" for their unusual appearance, unique anatomy and voracious appetite, CBC News noted.

The fisheries department says most of the 36 species of Asian and African snakeheads could not survive in Canada, but several - especially the northern snakehead - are hardy enough to live in all but the most northerly waters.

The DFO says those found in North America were likely released as unwanted pets or in ill-advised attempts at fish-stocking.

Snakeheads reportedly have been spotted in Ontario and the province has banned the sale of live snakeheads.

But British Columbia continues to permit such sales, according to DFO.

"On a recent trip to British Columbia, DFO scientists were able to purchase a live Northern Snakehead at a local food store, confirming rumours that the species was readily obtainable," the department said on its web site.

UBC zoology professor Chris Harley told the Sun he was shocked to find live snakeheads being sold in a suburban Richmond Asian supermarket.

"It doesn't make sense to cater to live sales," he said, adding it increases the risk of the invasive species being released into local waters.

Harley and his colleagues want B.C. to ban live snakehead sales, as Ontario did.

"Many (U.S.) states have very strict controls on live fish sales, including live bait," added Simon Fraser University biology professor Jonathan Moore.