In River of Many Aliens, Snakehead Looms as Threat

By David A. Fahrenthold

Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 29, 2005; Page A01

This is the summer of the snakehead, Part II. A year after 20 of the toothy Asian fish were found in the Potomac, the creatures are growing in size, number and legend.

They are far from the river's only invaders. Over time, the Potomac has been so altered by man that it has become the underwater equivalent of the "Star Wars" alien bar. There are carpets of Asian clams and thickets of grass originally from Southeast Asia. Largemouth bass and channel catfish, transplants from other parts of the United States, share the Potomac with carp native to Asia.