Giant Snakehead

''Channa micropeltes'', giant snakehead, giant mudfish or toman harimau, is among the largest species in the family Channidae, capable of growing to in length and a weight of . It is native to the fresh waters of Southeast Asia (South Indian populations are now regarded as a separate species, '' C. diplogramma''),Benziger A, Philip S, Raghavan R, Anvar Ali PH, Sukumaran M, et al. (2011). ''Unraveling a 146 Years Old Taxonomic Puzzle: Validation of Malabar Snakehead, Species-Status and Its Relevance for Channid Systematics and Evolution.'' PLoS ONE 6(6): e21272 but has also been introduced elsewhere and is considered invasive in Taiwan. Other names include ''xal mas'' (শাল মাছ) in Assamese, red snakehead, redline snakehead, and ''ikan toman'' (where ''ikan'' is fish in Malay and Indonesian).

Biology

The young of the ''C.micropeltes'' are red in color, with orange and black lateral stripes appearing after about two months. As the giant snakehead matures, it loses its stripes and redness, and instead develops a bluish-black and white pattern on its upper body. Juveniles sold in the aquarium fish trade are commonly called "red snakeheads". They can get up to long and a weigh .

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.

Distribution

''C. micropeltes'' is found in Southeast Asia, Malay Peninsula, and Indonesia . It used to be believed to have an oddly disjunctive distribution, inhabiting both Southeast Asia and southwest India, about apart. The Indian population was speculated to be from an early human introduction, prior to the 19th century. In 2011, the Southeast Asian and Indian populations were found to be separate species, with the latter correctly named '' C. diplogramma'' (leaving ''C. micropeltes'' for the Southeast Asian population).

This fish is reported to be highly suitable for culture in cages or ponds in combination with tilapia. It is found to be an effective tool in controlling the overpopulation of tilapia, which checks the stunted growth of tilapia.

As an invasive species

As the result of human introductions, ''C. micropeltes'' has been reported in six US states: Maine, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Maryland and Rhode Island. It is not believed to be established in the U.S., however, unlike the northern snakehead (''C. argus''), its temperate relative.

In Maryland, three specimens were caught in the early 2000s, two in open waters and one in the shallows of the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. In 2003, an example was caught in Rock River, Wisconsin. Biologists were concerned that warm water effluents could allow the tropical species to survive in colder climates, but as yet there is no evidence of established populations anywhere in the United States, with all catches believed to be aquarium releases.

In 2010, one was found dead on the shores of the Saint-Charles River, in Quebec City, Canada. It was obviously an aquarium release.

The species is well-established throughout Taiwan and is considered invasive at least in Sun Moon Lake.

Hoax

In 2005, 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. It was later determined to be a hoax; the fish had actually been found dead in a street.

Use as food

In Malaysia and Singapore, they are known locally as the ''toman'', while in Indonesia they are called ''gabus'' or ''haruan'' (not to be confused with another species of smaller snakehead known as the common snakehead also called ''haruan''), and 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 fish to eat, and is often served in Chinese restaurants.

In Thailand, this fish is prepared in a variety of ways, especially grilled, being a common food item offered by street vendors.

In traditional Chinese medicine theory, eating this fish is believed to help in healing of the body, for example, after surgery or severe cuts and scrapes.

In the aquarium

''C. micropeltes'', frequently referred to as the red or redline snakehead in the fishkeeping hobby, is 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. They are voracious predators that will chase and eat anything that fits in their mouths. Due to this, they are called "freshwater great whites". They can successfully be housed, though, with silver arowanas, clown knifefishes, oscars, and other fish from same size group.

References

Further reading

* Ebanasar J. and V.Jayaprakas 1995b. Culture of three species of murrels with mossambique tilapia at three predator-prey densities in earthen ponds. J. Aqua . Trop. 10: 221-229.
* Ebanasar J. and V.Jayaprakas 1996. Food utilization of Channa micropeltes (Channidae: Pisces) fed three diets of animal origin. Indian J. Exp. Biol. 34:1261–1264.
* Ebanasar J. and V. Jayaprakas 2000 Influence of predator size on satiation and gastric evacuation of a predatory fish Channa micropeltes. Indian Journal of Comparative animal Physiology 18 : 44-55
* Ebanasar, J., B.D.Sheeja and R.Narayanan 2001. Nutritive value and Bio-chemical composition of selected freshwater fishes. Journal of Social Medicine 55-57.
* Ebanasar. J and V. Jayaprakas (2003) Growth and food utilization of Juvenile giant murrel Channa marulius and striped murrel Channa striatus fed with diets of animal origin. Symposium on physiological approaches to conserve biodiversity and to tackle environmental health hazards. Indian Society for comparative animal physiology. Tirupati.
* Jayaprakas. V and J.Ebanasar (2003) Enzymes activity in the alimentary canal of malabar snake head Channa micropeltes fed with different diets. Symposium on physiological approaches to conserve biodiversity and to tackle environmental health hazards. Indian Society for comparative animal physiology. Tirupati.

External links

snakeheads.orgReport of giant snakehead captured in WisconsinPhotos of Snakehead FishFishing in Belum-Temenggor, Malaysia

{{Taxonbar, from=Q628790

micropeltes
Fauna of Southeast Asia
Fish of Thailand
Fish described in 1831
Taxa named by Georges Cuvier