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Urgent warning to 'kill on sight' fish that can breathe out of water

A warning has been sent out to “immediately kill” an invasive fish species which can breathe on land.

Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources in the US warned residents about the northern snakehead fish on Facebook, writing that the creatures are “bad news”.

Several were found in a pond on a private property.

The species is renowned for being highly invasive and a ferocious predator which eats other fish along with crustaceans. They can also breathe on land.

It’s the first time the species has been found in Georgia’s waters. Northern snakehead are native to China, North and South Korea, and Russia.

A northern snakehead fish pictured with its mouth open.
The US state of Georgia is warning people about northern snakehead fish found in a pond. Source: US Geological Survey (file pic)

Department chief Matt Thomas told The New York Post authorities are trying to determine if the species has spread from the pond.

The department is urging anyone who catches the northern snakehead to “kill it immediately and freeze it”.

It’s also asking for photos of suspected northern snakehead and areas where they might be found.

The post has also been shared more than 4000 times.

However, not everyone seems too concerned with some asking whether they can keep the fish after killing them.

Two northern snakehead fish on ice.
Residents are being told to kill the fish and then freeze them. Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

“It says you can't transport them does that mean you can't transport dead ones home to eat?” one man wrote.

“Just wondering if we have to cut the head off and leave them on the bank, or if we can take them home to eat?”

In some countries in South East Asia the fish is considered to be a delicacy.

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