Mudminnow Commonly Mistaken as Baby Snakehead

Type: Tidal
Region: Eastern
Location: Tidal Creek off of Nanticoke River

I had a surprising catch in a minnow trap over the weekend, I believe it is a juvenile snakehead? It was caught in a tidal creek off of the Nanticoke River. It was approximately two inches long and was unlike any other minnow in the trap.

DNR Response: Mario, you caught an Eastern Mudminnow. They are commonly mistaken for juvenile snakeheads. The eastern mudminnow is common in small streams and swampy areas, maximum length is only about 3�. The best way to distinguish it from a snakehead is with the fins. The snakehead has a long dorsal fin that runs along the fishes back from just behind the head and stopping just before the tail. It also has a long anal fin which starts in the middle of its belly and almost reaches the tail. The mudminnow fins are short.