Dangerous invasive fish caught in England

LINCOLN, England, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The first giant snakehead fish -- a fearsome underwater dweller that has been known to attack humans -- has been spotted and caught in English waters.

A fisherman in the English county of Lincolnshire reeled in the 2-foot monstrosity, which is native to southeast Asia, on the River Witham, setting off a flurry of panic among conservationists and fishermen, The Daily Mail reported Tuesday.

"This is the ultimate invasive species -- if it starts breeding here it's a disaster," said a source with the British Environment Agency.

Experts theorized the fish, which is banned from being imported to Britain, may have been brought into the country for display at an aquarium and then illegally released into the wild.

"These guys are the real deal and have attacked humans whilst protecting their young," said Ben Weir, of the Angler's Mail fishing magazine. "Everyone within the angling and fishery world have been left gobsmacked by its capture."

Snakeheads have the ability to crawl out of the water and can survive for up to four days on land.