Monster Fish Season 4 Episode 10 Frankenfish

In Monster Fish season 4 episode 10, titled Frankenfish, host Zeb Hogan sets out on a mission to catch one of the most notorious invasive species in the United States waters, the northern snakehead. This ferocious predator, also known as Frankenfish, is native to Asia and is capable of breathing air and surviving out of water for days.

Zeb travels to Maryland to meet with specialists and biologists who are studying the impact of the snakehead on the local ecosystem. They inform him that the snakehead was first introduced to the Potomac River in 2002, and since then, it has spread to other rivers and lakes in the United States.

The biologists share their concerns about the snakehead's ability to reproduce quickly and its voracious appetite for native fish species. They explain that this invasive species can cause serious harm to the aquatic ecosystem, and there are no natural predators to keep its population in check. The introduction of the snakehead has been dubbed as one of the worst invasive species disasters in American history.

Zeb decides to join a group of fishermen who are trying to catch the northern snakehead. The fishermen use a variety of techniques, including bowfishing and netting, to trap the elusive predator. Despite the challenges, they manage to catch several live snakeheads, including some of the largest specimens ever seen in the United States.

Zeb then takes the snakeheads to a lab where biologists study the creature's anatomy and behavior. They discover that the snakehead's unique ability to breathe air and move across land is due to a special organ called the suprabranchial chamber. This chamber allows the snakehead to extract oxygen from the air, which is then circulated to its gills, enabling it to survive out of water for extended periods.

The biologists also find that the snakehead's jaw has a unique locking mechanism that allows it to latch onto prey with incredible force. This mechanism makes it difficult for the prey to escape once it's been caught by a snakehead.

Zeb's journey takes him to different parts of the country, where he meets with locals and experts to learn more about the snakehead's impact on the environment. He visits a fish market in Baltimore, where the snakehead is now being sold as a delicacy, and even tries it himself. Zeb discovers that the firm, white meat of the snakehead is similar to that of other popular fish species, such as grouper or bass.

Despite its tasty flesh, the experts warn that the consumption and release of live snakeheads can lead to further invasion of the species into other waterways. They urge people not to release snakeheads into the wild and to dispose of them safely after they have been caught.

Frankenfish offers a fascinating and informative look into one of the most invasive species in American waters. Zeb Hogan's journey to catch and study the northern snakehead sheds light on the devastating impact it can have on the ecosystem, while also revealing its unique anatomy and behavior. The episode highlights the importance of understanding the impact of invasive species and the need to take steps to prevent their spread.