Biology
The young of the giant snakehead are red in color, with orange and black lateral stripes appearing after about two months. As the giant snakehead matures, they lose their stripes and redness, and instead develop a bluish black and white pattern on their upper body. Juveniles sold in the aquarium fish trade are commonly called red snakeheads.
2cm long
fry. Its color when young explains another of its names, the red snakehead.
After Bleeker, 1878; juvenile.
USGS 2004[2]Being a high level predator means that the giant snakehead eats almost everything in its way such as fish,
amphibians and even small birds, but is not preyed upon by many other species because of the snakedhead's feared reputation. The giant snakehead is considered gregarious, with the young often following their mother closely. There have been reports of protective mother giant snakehead attacking men who have disturbed the snakehead's school of juveniles.
The species has the ability to crawl onto land and breathe air, although they are only able to do this in muddy or swampy areas, hence the nickname "mudfish".
Its ability to breathe air using a primitive lung located just behind the gills allows it to survive in stagnant water where oxygen levels are low, by coming to the surface and taking a small gulp of air. It also enables the snakehead to travel short distances on land, although it is unable to hunt while on land, as it cannot support itself at all with its small fins in comparison to its large body.
Use as food
In
Malaysia and
Singapore, known locally as the
toman, while in
Indonesia are called
gabus or
haruan (not to be confused with another species of smaller snakehead known as the
common snakehead also called
haruan), are cultured in fish ponds and reservoirs as game fish because they put up a strong fight when hooked. The giant snakehead is also a good food fish, and is often served in
Chinese restaurants.
In
Thailand this fish is prepared in a variety of ways, especially
barbecued, being a common food item offered by street vendors.
In various Asian cultures it is believed that eating this fish will help in healing of the body, for example, after an operation or severe cuts and scrapes.
In Aquarium
The giant snakehead, normally called red or redline snakeheads are a popular fish to be sold in the pet trade. They are commonly sold as juveniles as pets. Some are even sold as feeders to be fed to larger carnivorous fish. Generally peaceful while young, they grow into voracious predators that will chase and eat anything that fits in their mouth. Due to this they are mostly called "freshwater great whites". However, they can successfully be housed with silver arowanas, clown knife fishes, oscars, and other fish from said size group.
Distribution of
Channa striata.
Source: USGS 2004The giant snakehead is found in Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and possibly Burma. It has an oddly
disjunctive distribution, inhabiting both Southeast Asia and southwest India, about 2500 km apart. It is theorized that the Indian population may be from an early human introduction, prior to the 19th century. In India it is found in southern Tamil Nadu and
Kerala especially in Pechipparai, Chittar I & II, Neyyar and Temnalai Reservoirs. Ebanasar (1995) reported its distribution and Biology from these reservoirs.
Ebanasar (1995) has also conducted series of experiments on the biology, physiology and culture of this fish. It is reported that this fish is highly suitable for cage culture and culture in ponds in combination with tilapia. It is found to be an effective tool in controlling the overpopulation of tilapia and thus checks stunted growth of tilapia.
There have been reports of the giant snakehead in already six of the US states including Wisconsin, Maryland, and parts of Virginia.
[edit] As an invasive species
In 2002 and 2003, three specimens were caught in
Maryland,
USA all believed to have been released pets. In 2003, a giant snakehead was caught in
Rock River, Wisconsin. Biologists were concerned that warmwater
effluents could allow the tropical species to survive in the colder climate.
In 2010, a giant snakehead was found dead on the shores of the St. Charles river, in Quebec City (Canada). It was obviously an aquarium release.
[edit] Hoax
In 2008, a specimen of
C. micropeltes was reportedly caught by an angler while fishing for
pike on the
River Witham in
Lincolnshire,
England. The claim of this catch is highly peculiar as it was reportedly caught in late winter, and, being a tropical species it would not have been able to survive, let alone feed in an English river during winter.A source within the
Environment Agency was quoted as saying “The reaction was, 'Oh s***'. This is the ultimate invasive species — if it starts breeding here it's a disaster." However, it was later determined to be a hoax; the fish had actually been found dead in a street.
