<Li> Channa asiatica, which is native to southern China, was introduced to Taiwan and to southern Japan; the origin of and reason for the introduction are unknown . </Li> <Li> Channa argus, which is native to northern China (Amur River), was introduced to central Asia (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). It was introduced from Korean Peninsula to Japan about 100 years ago due to fisheries motivations . Its introduction to Czechoslovakia by the government in the 1960s failed . </Li> <P> Snakeheads became a national news topic in the United States because of the appearance of Channa argus, commonly known as northern snakeheads, spawning in a Crofton, Maryland, pond in 2002 . Northern snakeheads became permanently established in the Potomac River around 2004; and possibly established in Florida . in approximately 120 miles (190 km) of river, the population has surpassed 21,000 individuals . </P> <P> According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, snakeheads have also been spotted in California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island . In particular, the bullseye snakehead (Channa marulius) has become a major problem throughout South Florida, growing larger than 14 pounds (6.4 kg). </P>

When did the snakehead fish arrive in the us