This fish, called a Northern Snakehead comes from China. Nobody knows how it got here. They've been caught in several areas across the country, the latest in Maryland. But wildlife officials say if you spot one anywhere, do more than just kill it.

Posters have been hoisted in Maryland urging anyone who catches one of the ugly little fish to "slice it into little pieces, please kill it, cut it, bleed it."

"We may have to get more aggressive," said Eric Schwaab with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The Northern Snakehead grows to more than three feet. It devours anything it can with its razor teeth, and can clear a pond of all native species. Before it looks elsewhere, it can crawl out of water and wiggle across land, breathing air with its primitive lungs for three days.

"I was scared 'cuz we had to put our feet in the water when we were paddling out, and there was a big green blob just coming through under the water," said 11-year-old Mark Gillespie. "It looked like a little shark."

Several adult Snakeheads have been caught. At least two have been thrown back. And eight baby Snakeheads have been found, which would indicate they're reproducing.

Not good.

Wildlife officers are trying electric shock waves, special traps, anything to contain the Snakehead.

Anybody out fishing this summer is urged to keep an eye out and if you catch one, do not -- repeat, do NOT -- throw it back.

For More Information:

www.dnr.state.md.us